Messi winner against Sevilla stretches Barca lead at the top
Villa and Messi strike twice in eight minutes to break down dour Sevilla defence
Barcelona stretched their advantage at the top of La Liga to 15 points as two goals in eight minutes just before the hour mark from David Villa and Lionel Messi clinched a 2-1 win over Sevilla.
The Catalans, who slumped to a shock Champions League loss at AC Milan in midweek, had to come from behind after Alberto Botia headed the visitors into a 42nd-minute lead.
Barca star Javier Mascherano said it was important to get the equaliser quickly after the break.
"I think we were aware that we didn't pay well in the first-half and we needed more," he said. "In the second-half I think we started with more intensity and luckily managed to find the equaliser quickly."
Barca now face a huge Spanish Cup semi-final second-leg with Real Madrid tomorrow with the tie finely balanced a 1-1 and Mascherano believes home advantage and an away goal gives them the upper hand.
"On Tuesday we have a big game but we have the advantage. We are playing a great rival but we need to finish the job," he said.
Barca faced much the same challenge as in their 2-0 defeat by AC Milan as they struggled to find a way through a packed Sevilla defence early on.