Facts and figures from the Rayo win

For the second time in 2013, the team have won three straight games – beating Deportivo, AC Milan and Rayo, following on from the three wins against Espanyol, Córdoba, and Málaga earlier in the year.

• Rayo really pushed Barça – something that’s clear from their 43% possession stat during the game.

• Shots on goal were also spread evenly, with Barça having 7 to Rayo’s 8, compared to total shots of 19 for the hosts and 17 for the visitors.

• Full back Dani Alves, who came on as a first-half sub, was the Barça player who made most passes, 67, beating Piqué (58) and Mascherano (55). Trashorras made 87 for Rayo.

• Villa started for his fourth straight game – a record for this season- having been in the starting line-up against Madrid (1-2), Deportivo (2-0), AC Milan (4-0) and Rayo (3-1), scoring against the last two.

• Mascherano has also had four straight starts, alongside Villa, more than any other current squad member right now.

• Jordi Alba and Mascherano won back most possession with 13 and 10 tackles each, whilst Figueras and Trashorras led the stats for Rayo.

• Messi, who has now scored 55 goals this season, with 42 in the league, has scored in each of the last 18 games.

• His two goals also mean that he’s got a brace in 17 games so far and is now just 8 goals short of his league scoring record – 50 last season.

• Messi also wore the captain’s armband for the first time this season in a league game, taking over when Iniesta was brought off.

• Roura has managed the team for 13 games, winning eight, drawing two and losing three.