Forward David Villa scored on his return from a leg break as Barcelona trounced Real Sociedad 5-1 in Vilanova's first league match at the helm at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Barcelona face Italian side Sampdoria in a friendly on Monday before hosting rivals Real Madrid in the home leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Thursday.

"The Spanish Super Cup is not a minor competition," Vilanova said. "It's a good tournament that we want to win.

"Maybe compared to other tournaments it's not given as much importance but in this house every match is important. It's an official match and it's against Real Madrid."

Vilanova praised the performance of his charges, who went ahead through defender Carles Puyol in the fourth minute, only for Uruguay international Gonzalo Castro to equalise moments later.

But two goals from Argentinean maestro Lionel Messi put the result beyond doubt as winger Pedro and then Villa, in his comeback from a fractured tibia, added their names to the scoresheet.

"It's important to start off on the right foot," Vilanova said.

"There are a lot of positive things to be learned from (the) match.

"We played 90 minutes with a lot of intensity. In the first 15 minutes we were strong and we reacted well to their equaliser.

"Furthermore, Villa returned and he scored a goal. (That) gives the player a lot of morale."