Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is close to notching his first Barcelona goal since completing that move from Arsenal earlier this month.

It's nice work from Barca. Gavi breaks the defensive line with a cute pass, Ferran Torres is onto it and plays a cross-shot across the face of goal... Aubameyang is stretching (think Gazza in '96) and can't get there.

Elsewhere today Espanyol have earned a point against second-place Sevilla. Sergi Darder is hot right now as he's found himself in the goals on a rare streak.

That's ended 1-1 and so Sevilla lose ground on leaders Real Madrid. The gap is six points.

I mentioned earlier Gavi - 17 years of age - is often featured in our Gossip column.

One man who is maybe referenced even more in there is Ousmane Dembele.

The France striker has barely touched the ball in these opening 15 minutes. I don't think I've ever seen him play that well. Any of you seen much from him?

Send me a tweet on #bbcfootball if you think he's tip top...

A Valencia counter-attack looks really promising.

Jose Luis Gaya down the right side, it's a two-versus-one position but his clip towards Goncalo Guedes gets deflected and it's a bit of a waste.

Valencia in what looks like a 4-4-2, Barcelona 4-3-3. The Catalan side spread wide and expansive as they try to build something and it's a neat move.

Gavi is fed and it looks like his run will take him clear but he can't quite get the ball under his spell. He has to re-build and the move leads to a Barca corner.

Valencia want a penalty but I think they're clutching a little bit.

Goncalo Guedes gets to the ball and goes down as he's challenged by Ronald Araujo.

The Barca defender was pretty much shoulder-to-shoulder.

Not for me. Not for the referee either.

Bryan Gill wants a free-kick as he hits the deck under a challenge from Sergino Dest. Nothing doing. He's all smiles. It's a relatively open start so far as the sun beats down.

Man I wish I lived in the sunshine...

Ferran Torres is out there for Barcelona. This of course is a return to his former club.

He tries to thread a ball through the defence but it's cut out.

He has already bagged a couple of times since joining from Manchester City, including in the Champions League against Napoli in midweek.

We are off and running and it's an early 'hello there' from Tottenham loanee Bryan Gil as he races down the left before crossing over the bar.

He was moving there. The kid has some legs...

The players are in the tunnel. A lot of hugging and handshakes.

I'm keen to watch teenage sensation Gavi for Barca. The last time I covered one of their games he got himself sent off late on and was pretty much key in turning a win into a draw.

Readers of our Gossip column daily will know he is linked with pretty much every club in existence right now...

Barcelona will need to make do without the suspended Gerard Pique...

I can tell you that our old mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang starts.

Team news next...

Image source, Getty Images

Welcome my friends to a little bit of La Liga action as Xavi brings his improving side to the Mestalla Stadium.

Barcelona haven't lost in the league since 8 December but their recent form is packed with a few draws. They're simmering, getting a little better but still sit 18 points off leaders Real Madrid.

Valencia's recent league form has been dire. Their last win came on 20 December. So they're either due a win or a hammering.

So let's see...

The streets are lined in Valencia.

Anyone would think Barcelona are in town....