David Villa grateful to former club Valencia
Barcelona striker David Villa has said that he owes everything to his former club Valencia.
Villa, who joined Valencia in 2005, became the club's highest scorer for five consecutive seasons, and was signed Barcelona this summer after intense speculation over his future.
The 28-year-old began his career with Sporting Gijon and spent two seasons at Real Zaragoza before signing for Valencia, where he scored 108 goals in 166 league appearances. After the international break, he will face his former club at the Camp Nou.
"I took my first steps at Sporting, then Zaragoza, but everything I have achieved in football, Valencia [has] given me," Villa told Barcelona's official website about his time at the club.
"In the five years I played with them, I played in the Champions League, I fought for many titles, and there is no doubt that those years were the most important of my life. Thanks to them, I’m now with [Barcelona]."
Will remain professional against the league leaders
Villa's former team has begun the season in promising fashion, winning five games and drawing one to earn first place in the table, three points ahead of Barcelona, who is in fourth.
The striker, who scored two league goals in five games for Pep Guardiola's team this season, said that he will overlook any allegiances to the club during the much-anticipated game.
"I will try to score against Valencia when we face them, because I am a professional, like I did against Sporting. But I have much love for Valencia and respect for all the people who have made me better, so I would not celebrate."
Villa is currently on international duty with Spain, who host Lithuania on Friday before traveling to Scotland on Tuesday, October 12.
Once the international break is over, the Spanish marksman will channel all his energies into La Liga and the Champions League for Barcelona.
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