David Villa’s key role in Barcelona’s historic Champions League win against AC Milan may have scuppered Arsenal’s hopes of prising him away from the Nou Camp this summer.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been strongly linked with a bid for the Spain international when the next transfer window opens and was hoping the former Valencia forward would be a marquee signing to appease fans disgruntled at he Gunners’ lack of silverware in the last eight years.
But Villa looked back to his sparkling best for the first time since breaking a leg in December 2011 when he clinically scored the crucial third goal which helped Barca become the first team to overturn a 2-0 first leg loss in the competition.
Acting manager Jordi Roura, standing in for ill coach Tito Vilanova, was full of praise for his 31-year-old finisher, suggesting the former Valencia man has a future in Catalonia after all.
He said: ‘We chose [David] because we knew that he could draw the attention of the central defenders away from other players and give us depth to the attack.
‘We also know that he takes a very high percentage of his chances. We played really well but any mistake, any tiny thing, could have put us out. A different result was possible.’
Villa appeared to be heading out of La Liga with the Gunners clear favourites to sign him but the prospect of staying with the Catalan club would clearly delight him and inspire a fantastic striker into a return to the top of his game.
His family have always advocated a desire to stay in Spain and there are few better stops in a player’s career than Barcelona.
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