Villa strikes as Barcelona climb to third on table

Sep 23, 2010 |

Sept. 23: Spain World Cup star David Villa scored a 49th minute winner as Barcelona beat Sporting Gijon 1-0 on Wednesday to record their first league win of the season at the Camp Nou.

Villa, 28, began his career at hometown club Gijon in 1999 and, in the absence of the injured Lionel Messi, struck a timely first goal at home for Barcelona following his 40-million-euro summer move from Valencia.

It was Barcelona’s first home goal of the league campaign and allowed the champions to climb to third on nine points, one point behind leaders and arch rivals Real Madrid who beat Espanyol 3-0 on Saturday.

The win gave the Camp Nou public something to cheer, after watching their side lose 2-0 to promoted Hercules in their last home league match. Since then, Barcelona have won three games on the spin.

“Of course we miss (Lionel) Messi but we have a great squad and we can go on without him,” said Villa. “It was a tough game tonight. I am relaxed about my own game. The chances are coming and the important thing is for Barcelona to keep winning,” Villa added.

With Messi out with an ankle injury, youngster Bojan Krkic, 20, was given a chance to shine up front alongside Villa and Iniesta.
Valencia are in second place with a perfect nine points and look to maintain their 100 percent start by defeating an Atletico side which is looking to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to Barcelona on Sunday.

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