Messi in goals again as Barca go top

Argentine sensation Lionel Messi made it four goals in four days scoring a brace as Barcelona won 2-0 at 10-man Real Zaragoza on Saturday to replace arch rivals Real Madrid at the top of the Spanish first division.

Messi, 23, followed up his brace in Wednesday’s 2-0 Champions League win over FC Copenhagen with a goal in each half to take his league tally to five and push champions Barcelona two points above Real Madrid.

Real can go back to the summit with victory at home against Racing Santander later on Saturday.

For Barcelona it was a perfect fourth league away win although they were helped by the dismissal of Zaragoza’s midfielder Leonardo Ponzio two minutes after the break for an off-the-ball incident.

Messi had opened the scoring on 42 minutes and added a second on 66 minutes as he continues where he left off last season when he netted 34 goals in 35 league games to win the Pichichi crown for the league’s top-scorer.

“Leo is a goalscorer,” said Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola. “Even though he doesn’t play as a central striker he has the goal on his mind and that’s why he scores the number of goals he does.”

Zaragoza sit bottom of the table after eight games as they wait for their first win of the campaign.

Spanish World Cup star Villa started against the club where he had two successful years while Gerard Pique was another returning old boy having had a loan season at Zaragoza when he was on Manchester United’s books.

Barca had to do without midfielder Xavi as he continues to struggle with tendonitis but did welcome back first choice goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who recovered from fever.

Barca were out of sorts early on and should have fallen behind on 18 minutes but striker Braulio Rodriguez could only muster a tame shot which Valdes saved easily.

Villa had a low shot saved in Barcelona’s first opening on 27 minutes and the former Valencia forward then set up Pedro Rodriguez who was denied by a last-ditch sliding tackle.

Villa was a real menace and created the opening goal on 42 minutes sucking in four Zaragoza players with a determined run before releasing Messi who held his nerve to slide home into the corner.

Two minutes after the break Zaragoza pressed the self-destruct button when Argentine midfielder Ponzio was shown a straight red card for clipping Dani Alves on the ear off the ball.

Messi almost scored his second just after the hour mark shooting at goalkeeper Antonio Doblas after receiving a lovely floated pass from Villa.

However, Doblas had no chance on 66 minutes when a blocked shot rebounded to Messi and the Argentine thundered a left-footed drive into the corner.

Real Madrid are at home to Racing Santander later looking to maintain their perfect home record at the Santiago Bernabeu and reclaim top spot.

Under manager Jose Mourinho, Real are unbeaten in all competitions and Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has flourished under his compatriot with five goals in his last three games.

“Mourinho is fantastic. Thank God he came,” said Ronaldo. “It is always great to work alongside someone with his experience and who has won so many titles throughout his career.

“I always said I would love to be coached by him, and my teammates are just as happy.”

Valencia, three points behind Barcelona, are also in action on Saturday when they host Real Mallorca at the Mestalla Stadium.

Villarreal are level on points with Valencia and host Atletico Madrid on Sunday in the game of the weekend.