The Barça striker is counting the days until he is fully recovered from the fractured tibia that has seen him sidelined since December
“All I want right now is to be fit all year in order to be able to compete at 100% and win a place in the team”, said the Asturian, who wants to be back by July 16, the day that the squad will regroup for the new season
On missing out on Euro 2012, Villa said “I owe myself to the club and I can’t go there assuming the risk of getting injured even more seriously and for Barça to have to pay the cost”
On June 15, it will be six months since David Villa fractured his tibia in the semi finals of the Clubs World Cup in Japan. Half a year later, and the player senses it is nearly time to resume the old routine of training, travelling and playing alongside his Barça team mates. In an interview with Barça TV, Villa admitted that his target had been to be ready in time to play at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. “In the end I didn’t make it in time for logical reasons seeing as it was such a serious injury. I won’t be in Poland, but the new season starts in July and that’ll be a new challenge … I owe myself to the club and I can’t go there assuming the risk of getting injured even more seriously and for Barça to have to pay the cost”.
New competition for places
Villa is not too worried by the possibility of the club reinforcing its forward line this summer. “That is the club’s decision, and it is them who plan the team and evaluate the shortcomings. I know I am at the best club in the world and I know how much competition there is for places … All I want right now is to be fit all year in order to be able to compete at 100% and win a place in the team”. Villa is still working hard every day on his recovery, saying “I want to be fit as quickly as possible, get my form back and be able to join the rest of the squad when they return on July 16”.
From Guardiola to Vilanova
On the change of manager, Villa reckons the decision for Tito Vilanova to take over from Pep Guardiola was the right one. “Tito is more than ready to accept this challenge. Barça fans are scared that he won’t be able to fill the void left by Guardiola, but I don’t think there’s anybody in the world who could do it better than Tito. I think it was the best decision they could have made. I’m sure the team will continue to grow”.
Grateful to Guardiola
But he’ll never forget Pep Guardiola, who “trusted me enough to bring me to Barça … He won the right to decide on his own future and we should respect his decision. I thank him for all he has done for me and the team, and wish him all the best in the future”.
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