Manuel Pellegrini was proud that Real Madrid bounced back from their Champions League setback to register a 6-2 win over Villarreal.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for the home side while Kaka and Gonzalo Higuain scored a brace. Xabi Alonso rounded up the scoring with a penalty in the closing stages of the game.

"I am fully satisfied and happy with the work of the team. The numbers are important and I am very pleased with the work we are doing," Pellegrini said.

"I'm very happy because the defeat to Lyon emotionally affects a team that had a good level. Today was important to get strong emotionally and keep close to Barcelona.

"It was very balanced. Villarreal are a good team and if there is anything that I liked from them it was the second goal. I liked the aggressiveness of the team. If you let them Villarreal can play, could do harm. They have a good team, offensively and defensively."

Real will face Tenerife away in La Liga next weekend before hosting Sevilla in a fortnight.