Barcelona have maintained their 13-point lead at the top of La Liga with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou.

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The hosts dominated proceedings in the opening minutes and went close in the 11th minute when Lionel Messi rattled the crossbar with a free kick.

Barca's pressure finally paid off after 25 minutes when David Villa fired in from close range after receiving Messi's pass to put them in the lead.

Messi made it 2-0 five minutes before half time when he latched onto Villa's pass and shot home past Ruben, setting a new record of scoring in 18 successive La Liga matches.

Alexis Sanchez could have added to the tally seven minutes into the second half when his shot went out for a goal kick after hitting the inside of the Rayo post.

The Blaugrana did not have to wait long, though, for their third goal at Camp Nou, and it came just five minutes later.

Villa and Messi once again combined with each other, the Argentine chipping over Ruben after collecting the final ball from the Spain international.

Raul Tamudo added some respectability to the scoreline for Rayo when he found the target in the 70th minute after meeting Piti's cross.