The spotlight was on Madrid heading into the match following their poor showing in Wednesday's Champions League first leg against Lyon, where a 1-0 defeat has left them in danger of tumbling out of the competition at the last-16 stage for the sixth successive year.

The heat has also been on Pellegrini, with speculation about his future and various big-name coaches being touted as possible replacements.

Madrid could not have done much more to silence the doubters though as they trounced Villarreal in hugely impressive fashion to record their 12th Primera Division win out of 12 at the Bernabeu this season.

Valdano said: "I'm very happy for the coach and for the team. We had a great game. We scored six goals and there could have been more. I'm going away completely satisfied.

"The match tells of the style of the team and of the coach. This is our coach, this is our team and we believe we can do great things this year. Pellegrini has managed things very well.

"I hope this result ends all debate and means we are able to focus on ourselves, which is to train and play every game as if it was our last."

The win, which saw Gonzalo Higuain and Kaka grab braces and the hugely impressive Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso netting the others, lifted Madrid back to within two points of leaders Barcelona.

It also helped Madrid ensure Barca, who beat Racing Santander 4-0 on Saturday night, did not enjoy any improvement in their goal difference advantage, which is currently plus two in favour of the reigning champions.

"Our job is to win games and if it is by playing as well as today and scoring goals, then all the better," added Valdano. "The league will be decided by very little, maybe even goal difference."