Villa, Osasuna, Timo and Valencia

By: Cesar | September 20th, 2008

So it looks like David Villa is ready and able to play against Osasuna tomorrow after all.

I’m happy about that. And while I will let this issue slide, I am still of the opinion that bringing Villa into the game against Maritimo on Thursday was the wrong decision. He shoots and scores and we’re all really happy about it. But if he got injured during the last ten minutes of a UEFA Cup game, we’d all be very upset.

Hindsight is, of course, 20/20. Luckily, Valencia’s doctors (who are not known for being that bright) have deemed him match fit. Let’s hope they’re correct. Let’s hope what happened Thursday was just a small knock and nothing more.

One guy who won’t be playing against Osasuna … and for that matter, may not play with us ever again, is Timo Hildebrand.

Apparently, his issue with coach Unai Emery ran deeper than just being put on the bench.

When Emery decided to start Brazilian Renan instead of Timo ahead of the season opener against Mallorca, Timo told Emery, “Rather than being a substitute, it’s better if you don’t call me up at all.”

So that’s what Emery did, dropping the tall German net minder from the squad completely for the first two league games and then against Maritimo in the UEFA Cup on Thursday.

The Valencia board are understandably unwilling to let the issue fester and risk yet another blow-up in the dressing room and they are reportedly considering their options to have him off-loaded during the winter transfer window.

I feel bad for Timo. I think he could have done just fine here if given the chance, if confidence was instilled from the get-go. Now it looks like we’ve seen the last of him. I wish him well. Hopefully some reconciliation can take place. If not, that’s that.

So tomorrow it’s Osasuna at the Mestalla, who come in undefeated, having tied their two league games against Villarreal and Mallorca.

They’re a plucky, resolute bunch and I don’t think this will be an easy encounter, given our injury woes and Osasuna’s tough mentality.

Former Real Madrid starlet Javier Portillo is the star (most recognizable name) of the Basque team, but he’s not alone as they also employ striker Kike, Iranian midfielder Masoud Shojaei and Valencia loanee Sunny, who can’t play against his former bosses.

Still, this is a game we should win. I expect us to take the three points and continue our solid start to the season. With upcoming matches against Malaga, Deportivo and Valladolid, we could be in for a very fast start of the season. Cross your fingers. It sure would be nice.

Frequent poster and occasional Nevada Smith’s patron Timothy Lakefront has been asking recently about tickets to the April 26 match up against Barcelona at the Mestalla.

I wish I had better information about getting tickets. I usually get them from friends or otherwise.

Here’s some info I dug up that I think could be helpful to everyone who reads the blog.

Additionally, I’ve opened up a post of Xtratime to ask the forum readers what they think is the best way of obtaining tickets to the Mestalla.

According to soccer-spain.com, an English language website about all things La Liga:

Most clubs start the sale of tickets at their ground two or three days before every home fixture.

Generally, tickets are not available from anywhere else, and there is no way of obtaining them in advance unless you purchase a season ticket.

Normally you can expect to find tickets on the day, but for popular fixtures you may have to join the queue when they first come on sale a few days earlier. For certain fixtures, such as Real Madrid v Barcelona, it is possible that no tickets will be on sale.

Ticket office is normally open from 10a.m. to 1p.m. and from 4p.m. to 8p.m., and all day on the day of the match, though the hours may vary at each club.

Hmm, not the most encouraging news. I’ve heard rumors that you can purchase advance tickets from the Spanish store El Corte Ingles, but I’m not sure about this.

Anyone have any ideas?

Make sure to check the Xtratime link often, as they may come up with info quicker than anyone else.

If push comes to shove, I’ll try to annoy some people I know in Valencia to get you a ticket once we get closer to the date …

I hope that helps some! Good luck!

Now let’s get three points against Osasuna!