Barca beat Villareal 3-2 to keep alive Spanish title race hopes

Barcelona kept their Spanish title hopes alive by defeating Villareal three two on Sunday.

Ace striker Lionel Messi's late winner ensured a good result for Barcelona.

Earlier, hosts held a two-nil lead through goals scored by Cani and Manu Trigueros.

For Villarreal, defenders Gabriel Paulista and Mateo Musacchio both scored own goals to put Barca level.

Messi steered in the winner from close range as Barca moved into second place. The Catalan club is four points adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid with three matches left, the BBC reports.

The pair go head-to-head at the Nou Camp on the final day of the La Liga season, although Atletico - who beat Valencia earlier on Sunday - will become champions for the first time since 1996 if they beat Levante and Malaga in their next two matches.

The odds are still heavily stacked against Barcelona retaining the title which they won less than 12 months ago under the guidance of Vilanova.