It is Barcelona's third loss in five matches, with their other defeat in that run coming against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup, which they lost 4-1.

After Gerard Moreno's first-half opener and Ilias Akhomach's 54th-minute goal, Barcelona produced a stunning comeback through Ilkay Gundogan, Pedri and an Eric Bailly own-goal.

But, following Goncarlo Guedes' 84th-minute equaliser for Villarreal, the hosts were left exposed in their pursuit of a late winner and ultimately punished by Sorloth's and Luis Morales' late goals.

Real Madrid came from behind to beat Las Palmas 2-1 on Saturday and moved back above Girona, who play struggling Celta Vigo on Sunday (13:00 GMT).