Welcome to live coverage of Barcelona's home match with Villarreal in La Liga.

It almost seems too easy for them sometimes. Messi is the best player in the world - as evidenced by a hat-trick tonight which makes it 40 for the season in all competitions. In February. 40! And they are also now 10 points clear at the top.

It is all over - Barcelona make history with a 16th consecutive Liga win.

Three minutes to be added on at the end of the 90.

Valera catches Valdes late and is booked for his trouble.

Who will Barca play in that Copa final in April? Well, surprisingly given their recent record in the competition, it will be Real Madrid!

Juan Valera with a run in from the right and forces a corner for the visitors. Uruguayan defender Diego Godin is there to head for goal inside the six-yard box - somehow he puts it over!

Signing from PSV Eindhoven Afellay scored in the Copa del Rey semi-final against Almeria in midweek.

And a double change for the home side: Ibrahim Afellay and Bojan Krkic for Xavi and Pedro.

Reyes corner headed away.

That is goal number 40 for the season. And Barca will certainly now go on and set that record of 16 straight Liga victories.

Messi played the ball through for Villa before continuing his run. The away keeper was caught in the head by Villa's studs after the save, and after attention and concern from both Atleti and Barca players is thankfully fit to continue.

Barca change: Seydou Keita on for Iniesta.

HAT-TRICK FOR MESSI! Villa breaks into the area and is met by De Gea... the ball falls kindly for the arriving Messi as Ujfalusi slides back and he stabs home!

More controlling play from the Catalan club.

Busquets reacts to pick up a loose ball and plays in to Pedro, who takes one quick touch and fires just wide.

Atletico change: Filipe replaced by fellow Brazilian Elias.

No sign of an Atleti fightback at present. But one goal would put the cat amongst the pigeons.

That fabulous save by Manchester United target De Gea denied Messi a hat-trick and 40th goal of the season! Current United keeper Edwin van der Sar didn't have a happy time of it today...

Pique in attack does well to stretch and find Xavi when the ball seemed destined to run out of play.

The cross comes in from the left and Messi rises highest to head for the top corner... tipped over brilliantly by De Gea!!