David Villa Sanchez

David Villa, 28, moved to FC Barcelona on 21st May 2010, just five days after the team won the second consecutive league title of the Guardiola era.

David Villa Sanchez made his first division debut with Zaragoza but really made his name with Valencia. However, his roots are in the mining region of Asturias in northern Spain where his father was a miner. He joined the youth teams of local club Sporting Gijon and soon made his way up the ranks to the first team.

He’s the 11th Asturias –born player to defend the Barca colours – previous famous compatriots in recent years being Quini, in the 80’s and former Barca captain Luis Enrique. Both of them recommended Barca to Villa.

David Villa’s career has been characterized by his unerring ability to score plenty of goals. In his seven seasons in the first division before joining Barca he never scored less than 15 a season.

He joins Barca in his prime – he’s 28 – and is a proven striker. He spent two years with Zaragoza (2003-05) and five with Valencia (2005-10), scoring 140 goals in 239 matches.

Despite his individual talent, he has collected relatively little silverware – two Cup medals and a Spanish Super Cup. So he joins Barca with plenty of hunger for honours.

His honours were dramatically extended after just one year at Barça. In 2010/11, playing on the left side of attack under Josep Guardiola, Villa won the Spanish Supercup, the league and the Champions League. He ended the season with a cracking goal in the Wembley final against Manchester United.

Villa is also a key part of the international team and, after the South African World Cup, has scored more World Cup goals than any other Spanish players. He played a huge role in Spain’s victory. His five goals made him Spain’s top scorer and – together with Müller (Germany), Snejder (Holland) and Forlán (Uruguay) – also the tournament’s top scorer.

PROFILE

He’s not especially big for a striker (1.75 m and 69 kg). His main virtue is his ability to shoot with both feet. As a child, he had a medical problem with his right leg so he focussed on his left, eventually becoming two-footed. In addition he’s an excellent header of the ball – an authentic goal machine.

Apart from his shooting ability, ‘El Guaje’ (The Lad) as he is affectionately known, is amazingly fast and mobile – a player who looks for the pass into space. Unpredictable. Off the ball, he works hard for the team and applies constant pressure to the opposing defence. He’s a charismatic player, a winner, who can turn a game at any moment.

HONOURS

FC Barcelona
2010/11 Champions League
2010/11 Liga
2010/11 Spanish Super Cup

Valencia
2007/08 Kings Cup

Zaragoza
2004/05 Spanish Super Cup
2003/04 Kings Cup

Spanish national team
2010 World Cup  
2008 EURO 2008

Individual honours
2010 WC Silver Boot
2010 WC Bonze Ball
2009/10 Zarra Trophy
2009 Bronze Boot Confederations Cup
2008/09 Zarra Trophy
2008 Top scorer EURO 2008
2006/07 Zarra Trophy
2005/06 Zarra Trophy

CAREER

2010-11 FC Barcelona
2009-10 Valencia CF
2008-09 Valencia CF
2007-08 Valencia CF
2006-07 Valencia CF
2005-06 Valencia CF
2004-05 Real Zaragoza
2003-04 Real Zaragoza
2002-03 Sporting Gijón
2001-02 Sporting Gijón
2000-01 Sporting Gijón