Soccer-Barca hit by Villarreal late show before Xavi bombshell

Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Villarreal - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain - January 27, 2024 Villarreal's Eric Bailly scores an own goal and FC Barcelona's third REUTERS/Albert Gea

BARCELONA (Reuters) -Barcelona endured a traumatic evening as visitors Villarreal scored two stoppage-time goals to secure a 5-3 LaLiga win on Saturday before their coach Xavi Hernandez announced he was stepping down as manager at the end of the season.

Barca remained third in the standings on 44 points, 10 behind leaders Real Madrid and eight adrift of second-placed Girona.