Spanish superstar signing David Villa has arrived in Melbourne to begin his ten-game guest stint with Melbourne City, but it wasn’t amid the fan-fare, glitz and glamour that many fans anticipated.
Spain’s all-time leading goalscorer arrived at Tullamarine this morning and went straight to Bundoora to join up with the squad for training at their headquarters at LaTrobe University.
The former Barcelona striker is in Melbourne for a short time with the rebranded City before returning back to New York to begin preparations for the 2015 MLS Season with associate club New York City FC.
Both of the sides are owned by English heavyweights Manchester City and links between the clubs paved the way for Villa’s temporary move Down Under.
The low-key, unannounced and business-like arrival of the Spanish superstar was a stark contrast to that of recent marquees such as Alessandro Del Piero, with no airport greeting nor fans at training welcoming the striker to Melbourne.
However Villa hinted that this was largely due to his own wishes as “It was a very quiet arrival – which is what I wanted.”
The Spaniard looked sharp out on the training field, showing some slickly touches and sharp movement, which included a precision strike past goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.
A team lunch followed training before Villa and manager John van ‘t Schip rushed off to AAMI Park to be presented before the media.
Villa, speaking via a translator, said he felt good although “a little bit tired from the long trip, but focussed on the game and team-mates.”
“I feel prepared. I’ve been working hard,” he added.
The 32-year-old stated that his goal during his short stint in Melbourne would be to bring joy to the fans of the club and others through his performances.
“I’d like for the fans across Australia to have good memories and to enjoy my performances,” he said.
Villa has not played a game since scoring against the Socceroos in Brazil on June 24 with his expected debut on Saturday night against Sydney set to be his first competitive club game since May’s Champions League Final where his Atletico Madrid side lost to cross-town rivals Real Madrid.
The frontman scored 185 times in 11 years in Spain’s top flight as well being top-scorer at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup where La Roja triumphed to victory. He subsequently missed his country’s 2012 Euro success due to injury.
A decision on whether Villa will start against Sydney will be made in the next few days by van ‘t Schip in consultation with the striker.
It is not yet known whether he will make an appearance at the A-League launch tomorrow at Etihad Stadium with today’s happenings indicating that the Melbourne City loanee might shy away from the event to focus on his fitness and Saturday’s game.