Barcelona made it back-to-back wins in the Spanish top flight for the first time this season courtesy of a 3-1 win away at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
The visitors rode their luck on several occasions but Frenkie de Jong gave them an early second half lead which was cancelled by Samuel Chukwueze before Memphis Depay and Philippe Coutinho struck late on to give Xavi his second win as Barcelona boss.
Despite the win, Xavi was honest in his assessment of the team’s performance and wants them to improve.
"It was very even, Villarreal is a great team," he told a media conference. "Of the three games that I have played, it is the one that we have dominated the least and the one that we least deserved to win.
"Today could have ended up as a draw and instead we are leaving with a victory. That is tremendous and gives us a lot of morale.
"It is a spectacular victory that gives us a lot of morale to continue growing. This victory gives us life.
"That game was the minimum required. Belief, attitude, respect for the badge, and hard work; they are the foundations of a team. Today was a victory of team spirit. When we do not play well, we also have to win. We are Barca."
Barcelona host Real Betis in their next La Liga game.
