Messi plays down Villa bust-up

"I have absolutely no problem with 'Guaje'; in fact it is quite the opposite. Do not look for problems where there are none," Messi told Barca TV on Sunday.

Just before half-time in the Camp Nou clash, Messi blasted Villa for not passing the ball quickly enough, to which the former Valencia striker retorted in equally venomous fashion.

"These are the kind of things that happen during a match and there was a lot of pressure on us to score the first goal and make the match easier," continued Messi, who leads the Liga scoring charts with six goals, but didn't find the net against Grenada.

Barcelona's victory was its fifth in five matches in a perfect start to the season that already leaves it five points clear of second-placed Malaga and 11 ahead of arch-rival and defending champion Real Madrid, which is in action on Monday evening (Tuesday morning AEST) at Rayo Vallecano.

"This team has a real sense of goal and numerous resources. I feel good, not quite 100 per cent, but each time a bit better," said Messi.