Barcelona are being held to a goalless draw by Villarreal at half time at El Madrigal this evening.

Lionel Messi fed the ball to Pedro to create the game's first real opening, with the winger only being denied by Sergio Asenjo's smart save.

The hosts very nearly took the lead on the 24-minute mark when Victor Ruiz got on the end of Cani's cross at the far post, but he failed to get his effort on target.

Barcelona stepped up their pursuit of an opening goal, and they very nearly found one if not for the width of the post which kept out Messi's curling effort.