Barcelona forward David Villa has been ruled out of Sunday's La Liga clash with Malaga due to a hamstring injury.

The Spain international, 31, picked up the problem during a training session earlier today.

"The striker noticed discomfort during training this afternoon and, after testing, has been shown to have a hamstring elongation and will not play in Malaga," read a statement on Barcelona's official website.

"[The injury's] evolution will decide his availability for the next games, as determined by the club's medical services."

Villa, who scored twice as Barca beat Cordoba 5-0 in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, has started just six league matches this season.