MADRID - League Champions FC Barcelona returned to BBVA Primera Liga action following a two-week break with a comfortable 4-0 win over Zaragoza in the Camp Nou stadium on Saturday night.

Gerard Pique, Leo Messi, Carles Puyol and David Villa scored the goals on a day in which Barca coach Pep Guardiola was able to rest several key players.

The game sprang to life after 18 minutes in which Barcelona had been in control, but looked sluggish after the international games of the last fortnight.

Guardiola started with Leo Messi in his side along with Alexis Sanchez, but Andres Iniesta and Villa were rested on the subs' bench after their efforts with Spain against Costa Rica on Tuesday night.

Gerard Pique opened the scoring on 18 minutes with a close range header following Xavi Hernandez's curling free kick. Pique lost his marker and only had to nod the ball past Zaragoza keeper Roberto Jimenez from the edge of the six yard box.

Zaragoza had hardly strung two passes together, but Helder Postiga was unfortunate to see Pique block a goal-bound shot four minutes later as his side launched a quick break, but that was all Zaragoza produced in the first half as Roberto turned into the hero for the visitors.

The keeper produced a double save to deny Messi and Alexis shortly afterwards and also parried a Maxwell drive as the Barca took control.

Without being at their best Barca had the visitors penned in their own half and Messi saw another shot blocked before doubling Barca's lead three minutes from time following a flowing passing move from his side. Once the ball reached Messi turned the defender before beating Roberto with a left foot shot.

Puyol scored Barca's third from close range eight minute into the second half. The club captain scrambled the ball into the back of the net after Seydou Keita had nodded down a cross from the left.

Guardiola reacted by taking Xavi and Alexis, replacing them with Iniesta and Thiago Alcantara, while Villa came on soon afterwards.

Villa made it 4-0 15 minutes from time with a diving header from a Cuenca cross. It was the perfect end to an easy night for Barca against a rival that appeared to be happy not to concede further goals or suffer any injuries to key players.