Vinícius Júnior scored twice as Real Madrid moved back to the top of LaLiga with a 3-1 win over a Villarreal side who finished with 10 men, but star striker Kylian Mbappé was forced off after scoring Madrid's third of the night.

Xabi Alonso was grateful to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, denying Tani Oluwaseyi one-on-one with the match still goalless late in the first half, and Madrid then took control in the second half with Vinícius scoring two minutes after the restart, then from the penalty spot in the 69th minute.

Georges Mikautadze pulled one back for the visitors but a red card for Santiago Mouriño moments later was quickly followed by an Mbappé strike before the France star was forced off with an ankle injury.

Mbappé has now scored in nine straight games for club and country, the best run of his career. He has scored 18 of Real Madrid's last 30 LaLiga goals dating back to last season.

The victory put Madrid two points ahead of Barcelona -- who visit Sevilla on Sunday -- and was a welcome response after a chastening 5-2 derby loss to Atlético Madrid seven days ago.

Madrid, who lined up with Federico Valverde at right-back, were quick to threaten as Mbappé and Arda Güler showed their understanding, but Güler fired over.

In the 20th minute Oluwaseyi sent an ambitious effort over for the visitors but far more dangerous was the chance Mbappé created at the other end as he broke into the box but saw his low shot saved by Arnau Tenas.

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Madrid kept the pressure on as Aurélien Tchouaméni headed wide from a great position and Franco Mastantuono also missed the target.

Villarreal might have taken the lead against the run of play four minutes before half-time but for Courtois. A fine pass from Alberto Moleiro allowed Oluwaseyi to race past Dean Huijsen and Éder Militão and run at goal, but somehow Courtois got down to keep out his shot from close range.

Having survived that moment of danger, Madrid took the lead soon after the start of the second half as Vinícius cut in from the left wing and hit a shot which took a deflection off the foot of Santi Comesaña to leave Tenas wrong-footed.

Madrid kept the pressure on as more chances came for Huijsen and Mbappé, and they got a second goal which had been coming with a little over 20 minutes to go from the penalty spot after Rafa Marín brought down Vinícius, who stepped up to tuck his kick under the dive of Tenas.

The Villarreal goalkeeper made two saves to deny Madrid substitute Jude Bellingham and keep his side in it, and that might have proved costly for the hosts as moments later Mikautadze pulled a goal back with a shot that went in off a post.

But any hopes of pushing for an equaliser were severely dented just moments later when Mourino brought down Vinícius and was shown a second yellow card.

That allowed Madrid to crank up the pressure further and although Vinicius was denied twice in quick succession, Mbappé got the third nine minutes from time, teed up by a selfless pass from substitute Brahim Díaz.

It would be Mbappé's final contribution as he went down with an ankle injury moments later, replaced by Rodrygo as Madrid saw the game out.

Information from PA and ESPN Research was used in this report.