Four goals in an eight-minute spell midway through the first half gave Villarreal a comprehensive 4-0 win over Mallorca in the Spanish league.

Logan Costa headed home from a corner kick to put the home side up 1-0 after 19 minutes on Monday (Tuesday AEDT).

Alejandro Baena then took control as Villarreal punished the visitors with a scintillating display of counter-attacking football.

Baena got the second after 23 minutes when he started and finished a quick break, then set up Dani Parejo to score a third two minutes later.

Yeremy Pino put the game beyond doubt with a half-volley from Sergi Cardona's cross from the left after 27 minutes.

The second half was relatively tepid in comparison as Villarreal easily saw out a win that closes the gap with fourth-place Athletic Bilbao to six points.

Villarreal took their goal tally for the league season to 38, with only Real Madrid and Barcelona having scored more.

Mallorca remains sixth in the standings.