Tenerife coach Jose Luis Oltra's worst fears were realised on Sunday as erstwhile strugglers Villarreal finally clicked into gear to record their biggest league win in more than six years.

Oltra had warned it was only a matter of time before the Villarreal 'beast' woke up after a dismal start to the season, which had seen them take just three points from their opening seven games before sneaking a first win against Malaga.

Joseba Llorente set Ernesto Valverde's side on the way to glory with the opener in the 16th minute, and Villarreal blitzed Tenerife with three goals in just seven minutes immediately after half-time.

Robert Pires, available for the league again after serving a one-match suspension for insulting a referee, doubled his side's lead in the 47th minute - and Giuseppe Rossi (51), Llorente (52) and Ruben Cani (89) added further goals to to lift Villarreal out of the relegation zone.

Villarreal showed no mercy as the promoted Canary Islanders continued dismal away from that has now seen them lose all four games on their travels, scoring just once and conceding 15.

It might have been even worse for Tenerife as well, Villarreal missing further chances to make the scoreline even more one-sided.

Rossi was denied by goalkeeper Sergio Aragoneses early on, before the unmarked Cani volleyed wide. But Villarreal were soon celebrating the lead as Llorente latched on to a pass from Ivan Marcano, turned inside his marker and slid the ball inside the far post.

Tenerife were not without their chances during an entertaining first half, though - and Alejandro Alfaro (twice), Nino and Julian Omar all went close before former Manchester United striker Rossi missed another opportunity for the hosts when he lobbed the ball wide after finding himself clean though.

Villarreal's finishing could not be faulted at the start of the second half, however - with Pires, who marked his 36th birthday with his side's equaliser in their 1-1 Copa del Rey draw with Puertollano on Thursday, sparking his side's goal glut when he tapped home Rossi's low cross.

Rossi then made it 3-0 himself with a low shot from inside the area after being put through by Bruno; then Llorente showed great power and determination to battle past his marker before lifting the ball over Aragoneses and heading into an empty net to make it 4-0.

Valverde opted to replace three of his key players after that - taking off Llorente, Rossi and Pires.

But Villarreal still created openings - with Aragoneses denying Damian Escudero low down before Cani capped a superb win with his side's fifth late on, smashing Joan Capdevila's low cross into the roof of the net at the far post.