Lionel Messi scored a brilliant winner as Barcelona twice fought from behind to beat Villarreal 3-2 in a hugely entertaining clash at the Nou Camp.
Villarreal, with an unbeaten record in any competition since the start of November, were briefly on course for their first win over Barca in 12 attempts, thanks to goals from Denis Cheryshev and Luciano Vietto, which sandwiched a Neymar equalizer.
However, Barca then struck twice in quick succession during a frenetic start to the second half to record an eighth successive win in league and cup, Rafinha drawing the teams level before Messi curled home a stunning 20-yard strike.
There was another five-goal thriller at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, where a last-minute Iago Aspas goal earned Sevilla a 3-2 win over an Espanyol side who played the entire second half with 10 men after goalkeeper Kiko Casilla was sent off.
Christian Stuani put visitors Espanyol ahead from the penalty spot but the hosts levelled through a stunning strike from Diogo Figueiras and then Vitolo tapped home from close range to put Unai Emery's side ahead before the break.
Casilla was then handed his marching orders in the 40th minute but Sevilla were unable to capitalize on their man advantage in the second half and were left stunned by Victor Sanchez's 77th-minute equalizer.
However, on-loan Liverpool striker Aspas scored the decisive goal in what was his first league start for the club to move Sevilla one point clear of fellow Champions League chasers Valencia and into fourth place.
In the game between Athletic Bilbao and Levante, a brace from striker Aritz Aduriz was enough to Bilbao a first Primera Division victory in over two months over bottom club Levante.
Almeria also celebrated a win, with Edgar Mendez's 44th-minute goal earning them a 1-0 victory - their first at home this season - over fellow strugglers Getafe.
Both sides finished the match with 10 men, with Almeria forward Tomer Hemed following Getafe's Sergio Escudero down the tunnel after both picked up second yellow cards.
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