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David Villa is Australian football's new icon

David Villa scored his second goal for Melbourne City in two games. (AAP Image/Melbourne City Football Club)
Roar Guru
24th October, 2014
10

Throughout the ages, there have been various sportsmen who have had such an impact on their chosen sport that they have similarly affected the rest of the Australian sporting landscape.

David Villa is quickly becoming that man for the A-League.

Picture yourself in a cricket club, conversing with teammates over how they went through the various grades.

Then David Villa’s name is mentioned, and how he saved City from defeat. It is amazing how this conversation can overtake the whole room. This is one example of how those who cannot stand the sport of football are aware of how good Villa is.

The next week, discussions once again commence of how Villa single-handedly saved City from the jaws of defeat. And once again, those who know little about the A-League start to realise how important he is.

Ever since coming Down Under, Villa has been the main attraction of the A-League.

2012’s arrival in Alessandro Del Piero was a major coup for the A-League and Sydney FC. ADP brought an enormous amount of experience and media attention, which Australian football needs to compete in the football world.

But the hype for Villa is on a whole other level.

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The Spaniard boasts an impressive record – 97 appearances for Spain, with 59 goals, and competing in three World Cups. He has also had 77 showings for FC Barcelona, and 36 for Atlètico Madrid, two of the finest clubs in the world.

These sort of stats are exactly what Australian football needs, especially after riding the wave of success and attention that Del Piero brought.

With Del Piero leaving to play with the Delhi Dynamos in the Indian football competition, and Manchester City acquiring Melbourne Heart, Villa’s arrival has been exactly what the A-League would have hoped for.

He has obviously already become a favourite among loyal City supporters, providing them with highlights in his goals against Sydney FC and Newcastle. But what the league would be most excited about is the reputation he brought, and what it’ll do to attract Australians who don’t particularly enjoy football.

This weekend Villa approaches his most important game for Melbourne City, against cross-town rivals Victory in the Melbourne Derby.

Great banter has already begun between City and Victory fans, with Victory fans claiming that Villa alone is not going to lead City to an A-League title. Well, that may be true, but if Villa leads City to a win in the Derby, City fans will just have that much to bait the Melbourne Victory fans with.

Villa may only have a few more matches left with Melbourne City FC, with New York City FC recalling Villa for promotional purposes, but what he can do in those matches could help the A-League tremendously.

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