Vilanova delighted as Villa scores brace in Copa
Source: Agencies |
November 30, 2012, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THERE were plenty of reasons for Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova to be satisfied after his side secured a spot in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday but David Villa's double probably comes near the top of the list.
The prolific Spain striker, sidelined for eight months after breaking his leg at the Club World Cup last December, netted twice in a 3-1 victory at the Nou Camp that eliminated third-tier Alaves 6-1 on aggregate.
The goals were his seventh and eighth in 16 appearances since his return from injury, the first a magnificent freekick, and took his career tally for club and country to 301. Known as "El Guaje", or "The Kid" in his native Asturian, Villa looks to be back to something near his best at a crucial time for Barcelona, which is top of La Liga and through to the last 16 of the Champions League.
"Every day he looks better," Vilanova, in his first season in charge after stepping up from assistant coach to replace Pep Guardiola at the end of last term, told a news conference.
"It was a complicated injury and he has worked a great deal over the summer," he added. "He is a player who has the scorer's gift and it is important to have him in the squad."
Villa, who turns 31 on Monday, joined Barcelona from Valencia at the end of the 2009-10 season after stints at Sporting Gijon and Real Zaragoza, where he scored 40 goals for each club.
With Barcelona leading 3-0 from the first leg against Alaves, Vilanova was able to rest regulars, including Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets on Wednesday and gave promising youngsters, including Jonathan Dos Santos, Sergi Roberto and Gerard Deulofeu, a run out.
The prolific Spain striker, sidelined for eight months after breaking his leg at the Club World Cup last December, netted twice in a 3-1 victory at the Nou Camp that eliminated third-tier Alaves 6-1 on aggregate.
The goals were his seventh and eighth in 16 appearances since his return from injury, the first a magnificent freekick, and took his career tally for club and country to 301. Known as "El Guaje", or "The Kid" in his native Asturian, Villa looks to be back to something near his best at a crucial time for Barcelona, which is top of La Liga and through to the last 16 of the Champions League.
"Every day he looks better," Vilanova, in his first season in charge after stepping up from assistant coach to replace Pep Guardiola at the end of last term, told a news conference.
"It was a complicated injury and he has worked a great deal over the summer," he added. "He is a player who has the scorer's gift and it is important to have him in the squad."
Villa, who turns 31 on Monday, joined Barcelona from Valencia at the end of the 2009-10 season after stints at Sporting Gijon and Real Zaragoza, where he scored 40 goals for each club.
With Barcelona leading 3-0 from the first leg against Alaves, Vilanova was able to rest regulars, including Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets on Wednesday and gave promising youngsters, including Jonathan Dos Santos, Sergi Roberto and Gerard Deulofeu, a run out.
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