Barcelona vs. Cordoba: Score, Highlights and Grades

Barcelona imposed its massive superiority over Cordoba on Thursday with an easy 5-0 win that put the Catalans through to the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey, 7-0 on aggregate. 

In all honestly, it probably could have been 10-0 as Barca put on one of its patented clinics. 

Even without Lionel Messi in the lineup, Cesc Fabregas and company swung the ball from sideline to sideline, controlling possession and showcasing how beautiful this game can be. 

Although there were plenty more chances early on, Thiago Alcantara got the scoring started in 17th minute with a calm, clinical finish after a Cordoba defensive mistake. 

Minutes later, the David Villa show got started. 

The former Valencia star has found trouble carving out a role in Barca's starting 11 lately, but he proved with one jaw-dropping, magnificent goal that he still deserves recognition in the lineup.

Here's a look at his 21st-minute beauty (via Javi FCB on Twitter):

"

GIF: Golazo de David Villa vs Córdoba (2-0) twitpic.com/bu3zei #Barça

— Javi FCB (@Emenderk) January 10, 2013"

Swansea City's Wayne Routledge summed up the goal with the only appropriate word:

"

That's David Villa... #Wow

— Wayne Routledge (@WayneRoutledge) January 10, 2013"

Just five minutes later, Villa added his second goal of the contest with a low missile that bounced into the back net off the inside of the right post. 

As Cordoba was forced to attack more and try to pull off what would have been a miracle of a comeback, the pitch opened up and made the Catalans even more dangerous. 

There were countless more opportunities and significantly more "fancy" play from the Barca side, and it was able to add two more goals—an Alexis Sanchez header in the 55th minute and an Alexis Sanchez rebound in the 86th minute—in the second half. 

It was an odd game for Sanchez, who wasted several sublime opportunities, but still managed to earn the brace on two, well, weird goals.  

The defending champs will take on Malaga next week. 

Grades

David Villa, Barcelona: A

Villa not only made a good case for deserving more playing time in the future, but he also probably increased his transfer price for interested clubs. 

The Spaniard wasn't always around the ball, but his two goals were absolutely world class. 

Mikel Saizar, Cordoba: B

Saizar may have given up five goals, but I felt he needed recognition despite that ugly number. 

The 29-year-old Spaniard was under siege for 90 full minutes and actually did a good job keeping Barca out of the goal when he stood a fair chance. The Catalans could have easily doubled their goal total, but Saizar limited that damage nicely. 

Dani Alves, Barcelona: C

Alves seemed to be playing as an auxiliary forward on the night, but he didn't look all that interested. 

He was dispossessed several times, played a handful of poor balls into the box and simply didn't make much of any of his opportunities. 

Of course, it hardly mattered for the La Liga leaders, but this was my best effort at finding something resembling a mediocre grade on what was a near perfect night. 

Follow @t_keen