MADRID, Aug. 29 -- Defending BBVA Primera Liga Champions FC Barcelona kicked off their league campaign with an easy 5-0 win against Villarreal in the Camp Nou Stadium on Monday night.

Barcelona were playing on Monday because they had played the European Supercup Final on Sunday night, beating Porto 2-0 in Monaco.

If Villarreal were hoping that the Catalans may have been suffering from tired legs or a post celebration hangover, they were to be disappointed.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola produced a surprise in his starting line-up: with central defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique both injured, he started the game with just three defenders on the pitch, but with Cesc Fabrigas, who was making his league debut for Barcelona, Seydou Keita, Andres Iniesta and Thiago Alcantara in midfield, while Xavi Hernandez was on the substitutes' bench.

Barcelona's Thiago Alcantara celebrates after scoring a goal against Villarreal during their Spanish first division soccer match at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona August 29, 2011.

The strange line-up didn't stop Barcelona dominating the play, indeed the extra man in midfield allowed them to tightly control midfield and all of the chances fell the way of the home side.

Leo Messi drew a good save from Villarreal keeper, Diego Lopez after 15 minutes, before Sergio Busquets headed a corner against the crossbar and Lopez came off his line fast to deny Cesc.

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