Evening all! Sports Mole's La Liga coverage continues from El Madrigal as Villarreal welcome Barcelona in arguably the clash of the weekend. Both sides were victorious in their opening league games of the season, with Villarreal picking up a 2-0 victory at Levante and Barca beating Elche 3-0 at the Camp Nou. Right, let me bring you up-to-date with the team news from El Madrigal.

TEAMS:

VILLARREAL: Asenjo; Mario, Musacchio, Ruiz, Costa; Pina, Bruno, Trigueros; Cani, Cheryshev; Giovani

BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Rafinha; Pedro, Messi, Munir

So there we have it. Mateo Musacchio, who has been strongly linked with a move away from Villarreal this summer, returns to the XI for the Yellow Submarine. On-loan Valencia defender Victor Ruiz is also included, while on-loan Real Madrid attacker Denis Cheryshev will support lone forward Giovani dos Santos. Top scorer from last season Ikechukwu Uche, however, is still injured and has not made the squad.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are without the suspended Javier Mascherano following his red card against Elche. As a result, Gerard Pique comes into the XI at centre-back. Andres Iniesta is injured, meaning that Pedro also starts for the Catalan outfit. Rafinha will switch to a midfield position, leaving 18-year-old Munir El-Haddadi, who scored on his league debut last week, to start alongside Lionel Messi in attack.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two teams, Barcelona have won four of the last five matches, with the further fixture ending in a draw. As mentioned, the corresponding clash last season ended in a 3-2 Barcelona win, with the Catalan outfit coming from 2-0 behind to pick up all the points in what was a sensational encounter. The clash at the Camp Nou, meanwhile, ended in a 2-1 Barca success.

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Barcelona have enjoyed recent success over Villarreal, but the Yellow Submarine are now a team ready to make a serious impression in La Liga once again. Last season was an overwhelming success on their return to La Liga. They challenged for a top-four spot in the early stages of the campaign, but were eventually made to settle for sixth – a position that would have been snapped up at the start of the season.

They have their sights set higher this time around, however, with a return to the Champions League their main target. Their summer spending has been extremely clever, with a number of players arriving to boost the size and overall quality of the squad. They made the perfect start to their season last weekend, beating Levante 2-0 in Valencia. Another three points against Barca would leave their fans dreaming.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have had a busy summer in the transfer market. Luis Suarez is still suspended, but Jeremy Mathieu, Claudio Bravo and Ivan Rakitic all made their league debuts in last week's 3-0 win over Elche – a match where Messi scored twice and El-Haddadi opened his league tally for the Catalan outfit.

Barcelona finished third last season, three points behind winners Atletico Madrid, who claimed the title with a point at the Camp Nou on the final weekend of the season. Barcelona's home record in the league last term was extremely strong, with 16 wins from their 19 matches and just one defeat, but they lost four times on their travels. Right, little under five minutes until kickoff at El Madrigal.

What about a prediction for this match then? Have a look at what I had to say on the Sports Mole Sofa in our very own preview...

Here we go then. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. There is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the away side get the first 45 minutes underway.

Messi captains Barcelona this evening, with Iniesta on the sidelines. It is a beautiful evening in Spain - let's hope that the football lives up to the weather! As expected, Barcelona have taken control of the possession in the early moments with Pique and Mathieu enjoying plenty of the ball in defence.

Alves delivers a dangerous cross into the Villarreal box, but Victor Ruiz is on hand to make the clearance. The resulting corner eventually falls for Munir outside the box, but his effort is just wide.

Another half-chance for Barcelona as Pedro beats two defenders before finding Messi outside the box, but his effort is straight at Asenjo. Villarreal just cannot keep the ball at the moment as the Catalan outfit continue to force the issue. Very, very impressive opening five minutes for the away team.

End-to-end football in the last couple of minutes as Munir comes close to meeting a through pass from Rakitic, before Cheryshev threatens with a mazy run for Villarreal down the other end. Alves delivers into Pedro moments later, but Ruiz is on hand to make the challenge. What a start to this La Liga affair.

Good work from Villarreal as Cani finds some space outside the box before lifting a cross towards Pina, but Alba always had the legs on the midfielder. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, with Villarreal enjoying more of the ball in the final third. Giovani has been unable to influence proceedings thus far, however, with the Mexican isolated in the Villarreal attack. Still no real clear opportunities for either side thus far.

Messi continues to take up space outside the Villarreal box, but the Argentine has been well marshalled by the home side's defence thus far. Barcelona continue to pass and probe in the final third, but are finding it difficult to produce that elusive final ball. Still goalless with 14 minutes on the clock.

CHANCE! First real chance for Barcelona as Messi takes the ball away from Bruno before feeding Pedro, who drives into the box before firing towards goal, but Asenjo makes a smart save.

Slightly untidy work from Villarreal in the last few minutes, with possession conceded too often in the final third. Barcelona are still on top in the final third, with Alves a serious threat from right-back. It is the travelling Barcelona supporters that are making the noise with 18 minutes on the clock.

In truth, the opening 20 minutes this evening has been as expected. Barcelona with plenty of the ball, but Villarreal defending well and threatening on the counter. For so many reasons the first goal will be crucial. Alves delivers another deep cross towards the far post, but there are no takers for the away side.

Slightly untidy period of the match in terms of challenges in the last few minutes, with the referee forced to intervene in the middle of the park. However, there have been no cards issued. The atmosphere has dropped inside the stadium, which is a direct reflection of matters on the field. Still goalless.

CHANCE! Incredible chance for Villarreal to take the lead as Ruiz meets a deep cross from Cani at the far post, but the on-loan Valencia defender can only lift his effort over the crossbar.

Barcelona want a penalty as Mario appears to catch Pedro inside the box, but the referee is not interested. I have seen them given that is for certain. End-to-end football at El Madrigal, with Villarreal now offering a threat in the final third. Little under 20 minutes of the first period remaining this evening.

Alves continues to threaten for Barcelona as the right-back delivers a dangerous cross towards Messi, but Mario just does enough to clear for a corner. Rafinha meets the resulting set piece, but the danger is cleared. Barcelona have a free kick in a dangerous area moments later when Cani fouls Alves...

... POST! Messi curls the resulting free kick towards the bottom corner, but a deflection from Trigueros sees the Argentine's effort hit the post. So close to a breakthrough.

Messi sets up another half-chance for Barcelona after curling a superb pass into Rafinha, but Mario is across to clear the low cross. Still goalless with little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining.

Alves is next to try his luck for Barcelona, but his low effort from outside the box was always moving wide of the post. The pressure is coming from the Catalan outfit, but Villarreal remain strong.

Mathieu tries his luck from outside the box for Barcelona, but his effort, which came on the volley, was always moving wide of the post. Not too much from Villarreal in an attacking sense at the moment, with the Yellow Submarine focusing on defending in the latter stages of the first period at El Madrigal.

It's powerful work from Musacchio as the Villarreal defender takes the ball away from Munir before driving to the edge of the Barcelona box, but Rakitic is back to make the challenge. Messi is the target for a low Alves cross down the other end, but Ruiz is across to clear once more. End-to-end football.

BOOKING! Pedro is handed the first yellow card of the match as the Barcelona attacker brings Giovani to the ground, with the Villarreal attacker driving into the Barcelona half.

It must be said that the pitch is not in the best condition this evening, which is seeing a number of players hit the deck. Villarreal have another free kick following a late tackle from Alves Cani, eventually it falls to Cheryshev inside the Barcelona box, but his low effort is wide of the post.

Another half-chance for Barcelona as Messi delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Munir cannot make enough contact with his head. Little over four minutes of the first period remaining.

Barcelona are not happy as Alves hits the deck following a challenge with Costa, with the referee allowing the play to continue. Eventually the Brazilian gains some treatment and looks fine to continue.

BOOKING! Alves goes in the book for Barcelona for dissent. The Brazilian is still not happy about that late challenge from Costa, which was deemed fair by the referee and linesman.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Barcelona have had more of the ball and indeed created more chances, but the clearest opportunity fell to the home side, with on-loan Valencia defender Victor Ruiz clipping a Cani cross over the crossbar at the far post.

STATS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 74%, while they have had eight efforts, three of which have been on target. Villarreal, however, have not hit the target with either of their two attempts. There has been two bookings, meanwhile, with Pedro and Alves both carded for Barca.

BENCH WATCH: Villarreal are without their leading scorer from last season Uche through injury this evening, but Marcelino has attacking options in the shape of Gomez and Vietto. Barcelona, meanwhile, have the likes of Neymar, Xavi and Sandro in reserve. Both teams have strong options from the sidelines.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be crucial. Villarreal get the half underway.

No changes from either manager at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that changes will occur if the score remains level for the next 20 minutes or so. Barcelona have taken control of the possession in the early moments of the second period at El Madrigal.

Half-chance for Villarreal as Cheryshev drives down the right before delivering towards the near post, but Bravo is out to collect ahead of Giovani. Barcelona are down the other end with Alves moments later, but Mario clears with Munir in close proximity. End-to-end football with 50 minutes on the clock.

POST! Villarreal come close to taking the lead as Trigueros's cross from the left is met by Mathieu, whose clearance hits the post. Almost an own goal for the French defender.

Possession football from Barcelona in the last couple of minutes, but they are finding it difficult to break through in the final third. Neymar is warming up for the Catalan outfit and it would not be a surprise to see the Brazilian introduced in place of Munir, who has struggled to influence proceedings thus far.

Just a reminder that following this match Real Sociedad welcome Real Madrid - be sure to remain with us for that one. Back to El Madrigal and Barcelona have another half-chance following a low cross from Messi, but Rakitic cannot make contact at the far post. Little under 35 minutes of football remaining.

SUBS! Villarreal are forced into a change as Gabriel replaces the injured Costa. Barcelona also make their first change of the match as Neymar replaces Munir, which is not a surprise.

Half-chance for Barcelona as Neymar collects possession on the edge of the box before feeding Rakitic, who drives a low cross towards Messi, but Mario is on hand to make the clearance. From the resulting corner, Mathieu just pokes his effort wide of the post. Good pressure from the Catalan outfit.

Barcelona have another free kick in a dangerous position, which Messi delivers into Pique, but the defender's effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Still goalless at El Madrigal, but Barca are in control.

SUB! Second change for Villarreal as Vietto replaces Cheryshev.

Messi continues to become frustrated with a serious of late challenges in forward areas, but the referee has still not carded a Villarreal player. Messi threatens from the latest free kick, but Asenjo is on hand to make the save. You just get the feeling that the tempo is rising as Barca continue to push forward.

CHANCE! Messi comes close to scoring with a header - yes a header - from a Rakitic corner, but the Argentine pumps his effort wide of the post. Still goalless at El Madrigal.

CHANCE! Incredible chance for Barcelona to score as Messi drives a low cross into Neymar, but somehow the Brazilian cannot force his effort over the line, with two Villarreal defenders blocking. Ruiz was on the ground when the Brazilian fired his effort into his ribs. Incredible!

SUB! Third and final change for Villarreal as Espinosa replaces Cani.

SUB! Barca also make a change as Sandro replaces Pedro.

POST! Villarreal come close to taking the lead as Pina finds space on the edge of the before rattling one towards the bottom corner, but his effort strikes the post. What a chance!

Messi is carrying the fight for Barcelona and comes close to breaking the deadlock after forcing his way into the box, but Mario is across to make a fine challenge. Neymar is involved moments later, but Paulista is across to make the challenge. I would be surprised if this one finished goalless.

SUB! Barcelona make their third and final change as Xavi replaces Rafinha.

How on earth is this match still goalless? Villarreal have struggled for possession in the second period, but have hit the post through Pina. Barcelona, meanwhile, have pace to burn in the final third at the moment, with Messi, Neymar and Sandro all threatening. Little under 15 minutes of normal time remaining.

CHANCE! Another chance for Barcelona as Messi finds some space inside the Villarreal box, but Ruiz is on hand to make a last-ditch challenge. The resulting corner is delivered into Pique, but Mario is up to clear. Villarreal have just been incredible in defensive areas this evening.

Little under 10 minutes of football remaining for someone to find a winner here. You just get the feeling that there will be at least two or three good chances in the final stages. Barca are in complete control.

Barcelona take the lead with 82 minutes on the clock as Neymar slides a beautiful pass into Messi, who feeds Sandro Ramirez and the youngster cannot miss from close range. What a moment for Sandro!

How many brilliant youngsters do Barcelona want to produce?! Sandro is the latest name on the scoresheet for Barcelona, who have broken Villarreal hearts with little over five minutes of football remaining.

Trigueros tries his luck for Villarreal, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. Villarreal will not settle down in the final moments as they chase an equaliser. There is still time here.

CHANCE! Vietto comes close to levelling for Villarreal as the ball bounces to the new signing inside the box, but his effort is high of the crossbar. Can the Yellow Submarine respond?

Half-chance for Barcelona as Alves finds the head of Neymar inside the box, but his effort is high of the crossbar. Time is running out for Villarreal as the second period enters stoppage time.

We are into the third of three added minutes at El Madrigal. It is so harsh on Villarreal, who are on the verge of suffering defeat here. In truth, their legs have gone.

So there we have it. Sandro's late strike is enough to hand Barcelona all three points against Villarreal. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!