Jordi Clos
FC Barcelona entertain Valencia on Saturday evening (20:00, R@dio Barça) in a game that pits the league champions against the current league leaders in Camp Nou and sees David Villa face his former club for the first time.
Pep Guardiola heaped praise on Los Che in the build-up to the game after the club have made a tremendous start to the new campaign despitem any beliving that they would feel the loss off several star names in the summer. Despite seeing Villa and David Silva, among others, leave coach Unai Emery has bought shrewdly and Valencia have defied the odds to go top of the table and make themselves a team considered to be seriously considered as having a shot at the title. Home form
Barça’s main aim this weekend will be put an end to the run of uncertain home results having been held to a 1-1 draw by Real Mallorca soon after being beaten by Hércules. The team are adamant that they will continue to play the attractive and exciting football that has won them so many admirers around the world, but will want all three points to go with it in such a high profile encounter. Víctor Valdés will be pleased that Villa will be on his side for the first time after seeing the striker score a number of times against him for Valencia in recent seasons.
Villa record
Villa has stated that he will not celebrate if he scores against Valencia this weekend as a mark of respect for everyone at the club, but will be looking to increase his impressive records against his former sides. When representing Los Che the Spain international netted no less than six goals in ten games against Sporting de Gijón and Real Zaragoza.
Top team
In their six league matches so far this term Valencia have dropped just two points, when they were held at home by Atlético de Madrid. There away wins, at Sporting, Hércules and Málaga and home victories over Athletic Club and Racing Club have meant that Emery’s team have 16 points out of a possible 18. They have also impressed in the Champions League by winning 0-4 at Bursaspor before being beaten 0-1 at home by Manchester United. Aritz Aduriz and Roberto Soldado have settled in quickly with four goals between them, while Joaquín and Vicente have been revitalised this term.
Team news
Barça have been boosted by the news that Villa has recovered from a knee injury sustained on international duty, Xavi is training again after suffering an ankle knock and Pedro could be available after picking up a blow in the game against Real Mallorca. For the visitors Joaquín, Hedwiges Maduro and Miguel are all injured and Chori Domínguez has been left out of the squad.
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