David Villa’s Heart

By: Cesar | April 10th, 2009

We all know David Villa, the world’s greatest striker, resides with Valencia CF.

We also know he’s fond of Sporting Gijon, the club where he began his professional career.

We also happen to be playing Gijon this weekend (more on that in a bit). So let’s hope Villa doesn’t let sentimentality get in the way of scoring a few goals and leading us to victory.

In light of my previous post regarding my personal vendetta against Spanish filth MARCA, I present today’s transfer rumors of the day.

Three pieces of news today.

- First, Villa is signed, sealed and delivered to Chelsea this summer.

- Next, who’ll replace Villa? None other than Barca wunderkind Bojan Krkic.

- Finally, porn starlet and loaned out Argentinian dwarf Ever Banega wants to stay with a ‘big club,’ Atletico Madrid.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way …

It’s Villa against old club Gijon today and he’s got mixed emotions.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for many years and finally, I can return to play at El Molinon,” he said in an interview with AS.

“Whenever I go back home to Asturias, the people there always give me a good reception and I believe that the fans will treat me well when I return to play the game,” he added.

“El Guaje” didn’t celebrate when he scored for Valencia when the two sides met earlier this season at the Mestalla and he has once again promised to respect his old supporters if he scores again. Hopefully three or four times.

“I won’t celebrate if I score out of respect for the home fans, who are very proud of my achievements as a young lad who emerged from the cantera. Besides, I also consider them a part of my success,” he explained, wiping tears from his face.

“However, I want to score to help Valencia win this game. It will be a painful and complicated situation for me. I have to fight against my old club who have never been my rival and it is a rare feeling.”

Villa was then put in a tight spot when asked if he would be hurt if he were to take three points away from Sporting.

“Both teams are in need of points, although I hope that the end result will favor Valencia. (You hope?!) But it will be painful for me because my friends and associates tell me that the Sporting fans always applaud me whenever they see on the scoreboard that I’ve scored a goal for Valencia,” he concluded.

And they can applaud when you score four this weekend.

Side note, but do you think Villa will be this humble when he plays for Chelsea/Real Madrid/Barcelona and faces us? Things that make you go ‘Hmmm …’

Anyways, Villa went on to say he wants to stay with us. Sweeeeet.

“I signed a contract for six years and I intend to see that through. The club trusts me and they haven’t told me anything about a possible sale,” he explained.

“The club has always told me everything that has been said and with regards to a possible offer, they have said nothing.”

The Valencia man also spoke about the prospect of reaching the Champions League this year, and admits that is what they are aiming for.

“The Champions League is the biggest club competition and it makes me jealous not to be playing in it. We are trying to do things well this season so that next year we do not have to watch it on television,” he said.

“There may be changes to the landscape on a professional level but there won’t be in our decisions because I want to stay,” he said. “We all know what a year without Champions League would be like, so we wish to reach fourth spot. Nothing is going through my mind other than finishing in the top four.”

Finally, Villa was asked about the financial situation, which has improved recently but is still thought to be fragile.

“We have helped the club in a delicate situation in every way we can, and now that things are getting better they are thanking us,” he concluded.

Right then.

So it’s Sporting Gijon this Easter Sunday at El Molinon, Villa’s old stomping grounds in Asturias. We needed last week’s match against Getafe and got that one, 4-1. We need this one as well. We’re a mere 2 points behind local rivals Villarreal for that coveted Champions League spot and we can’t let up now.

Villarreal played a tough Champions League match midweek against Arsenal and now square off against up-and-coming Malaga this Saturday. A slip up by them and a victory by us and guess who’s in 4th?

Sporting currently reside in 13th place in La Liga, a mere three points from 18th and relegation. So this game’s important to them.

They’ve let in a scary 61 goals this season, so it’s obvious they could care less about defense. Our offense could have a field day against Gijon, who have lost two in a row.

They did shock us 3-2 at the Mestalla back in November, so they’re not a pushover. Still, 61 goals? Yikes.

Manuel Fernandes won’t be available for this match or for any matches this season as he’s gone with a broken leg. Then again, he played an hour with a broken leg (because he’s that tough) so maybe he’ll get a run out in the 2nd half?

Figure he won’t. We’ll probably see David Albelda in that defensive midfielder position, now that Carlos Marchena is back in his coveted center back role, ready to let opposing forwards streak to the goal.

I’ve no word on Miguel or Joaquin, so that would all be speculation at this point.

Still, with Villa back on his stomping grounds, I’m expecting an emotional, high-spirited win for our lads.

Goal.com?

PREDICTION

A draw is out of the question, and Sporting simply do not have the defence to cope with Valencia’s potent forward line. Expect plenty of goals, with the away team getting most of them.

Sporting Gijon 2-4 Valencia

Sweet!!

One more tidbit.

A great blog post on elvalencianista.com (sorry, in Spanish) on ‘Ten Reasons to Believe in VCF Being in Next Season’s Champions League’ … or something to that effect.

The ten?

1 – The UEFA Champions League (UCL) gives a club lots of prestige.
2 – We get money if we get in.
3 – Indirect income. Sponsors, etc.
4 – To keep Silva and Villa. Ya!
5 – Our direct rivals our floundering. For example, Villarreal.
6 – We’re on a hot streak. Let’s continue that this weekend.
7 – VCF’s future is at stake.
8 – The UCL’s cities are better than the UEFA Cup’s. As the post says, we’ve been to Kiev, Copenhagen and Rosenborg this season in the UEFA Cup. No offense, but they’re no Milan, Liverpool, Manchester or Munich. Big clubs play in those cities.
9 – We have a really good team! On paper, at least. This team SHOULD be in the UCL.
And my favorite?
10 – BECAUSE THE FANS DESERVE IT!!!

AMUNT!!!! Let’s continue our good run this weekend …