Relegation-threatened Sporting Gijon went down 2-0 at Getafe while Espanyol came back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against Real Sociedad.

CNN: Sixty for Messi as Barcelona beat 10-man Zaragoza

Smith also lost Nacho Novo, who moved to Sporting Gijon before the start of the season, and obviously viewed the striking positions as his priority.

BBC: Rangers sign Rapid Vienna's Nikica Jelavic for ?4m

Villarreal, who finished fourth last season, will be joined in the second tier by Sporting Gijon and Racing Santander, who placed 19th and 20th respectively.

CNN: Football fever: Europe's big leagues serve up late drama

Earlier on Saturday, fourth-placed Sevilla bounced back from the midweek defeat at struggling Valladolid to crush Sporting Gijon 3-0, who had two players sent off.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Mali striker Fredi Kanoute opened the scoring in the eight minute after his initial header was blocked, and 13th-placed Gijon lost Mate Bilic to a second yellow card on 32.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Once cast adrift at the foot of the table, Zaragoza are now level on 25 points with Sporting Gijon and Racing Santander, who both drew 1-1 away from home on Sunday.

CNN: Superb Dortmund hit Cologne for six

Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy announced his retirement following Malaga's 1-0 over Sporting Gijon, after a career which has seen the prolific former Netherlands striker star at Manchester United and Real Madrid.

CNN: Football fever: Europe's big leagues serve up late drama

Messi capped the win with a deft chip for his ninth goal of the season overall -- one more than Ibrahimovic -- and Keita headed his third of the night from a corner in the 86th minute as Barca moved three points clear of Real Madrid, who were held 0-0 by Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

CNN: Barcelona return to winning ways with Zaragoza rout