Miner's son Villa working rich seam of goals
Reuters - Saturday 10 July 2010, 10:46
POTCHEFSTROOM - David
Villa, a miner's son from the northern Spanish region of
Asturias, has struck a rich seam of goals in South Africa that
may help lift the Iberian nation to a first World Cup triumph.
The 28-year-old striker has rattled in 43 in 64 games since
making his debut in 2005, one short of the national scoring
record of 44 in 102 held by Raul, and is the 2010 World Cup's
joint-leading marksman with five goals in six matches.
His scoring prowess in La Liga earned him a 40 million-euro move to Barcelona following five campaigns with
Valencia, and after being overshadowed by new Barca team-mate
Lionel Messi in La Liga last season has burst spectacularly into
the spotlight at his second World Cup.
In a sign of his ambition, he said in an interview this week
that although he was perhaps already enjoying the best moment of
his career, he always wanted more.
"I am very pleased right now with what is a marvellous
situation in my professional life, maybe the greatest of my
life," he said. "But I hope the best is yet to come."
Villa, whose favourite film is "Braveheart" about Scottish
patriot William Wallace and who always makes sure he takes to
the pitch on his right foot, had spells with local club Sporting
Gijon and Real Zaragoza before joining Valencia.
He is quick, makes intelligent runs across the frontline and
is dangerous from deadball situations.
Comfortable on either foot, he can drop deep or pull into
wide positions when playing with Fernando Torres while the
stronger Liverpool forward takes on the centre-backs.
Coach Vicente del Bosque has often used him in the lone
striker role and Torres's poor form after returning from knee
surgery shortly before the finals means almost all the
goalscoring onus has fallen on Villa.
Although Torres will be remembered for scoring the only goal
in the 1-0 defeat of Germany in the final at Euro 2008, Villa
was top scorer for the tournament with four goals, despite
missing most of the semi-final and the final through injury.
While not quite packing the same media profile as his strike
partner, Villa is hugely popular with fans and team mates and
demonstrates the modesty and generosity typical among the
current generation of Spanish players.
His advice for aspiring footballers?
"Never stop loving this job, always try to improve, never
admit defeat and always be yourself."
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