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Villa keen to farewell A-League a winner

30th October, 2014
7

One of many underperformers in a lopsided derby loss, David Villa wants to make a better final impression on the A-League.

Melbourne City, smashed 5-2 by cross-city rivals Victory in a prime example of how the rebadged club has struggled with a new sense of expectation, face Adelaide United on Friday night in Villa’s farewell.

It is yet to be confirmed whether the Spanish star will return after his trip to New York, with the AAMI Park clash expected to be his fourth and final in the A-League.

Coach John van ‘t Schip suggested the 32-year-old World Cup winner was hurting, like everyone at the club involved in the second-half fadeout against Victory.

“He was disappointed about the last game. About the team performance, but also about his own performance,” said van ‘t Schip before Thursday’s training session.

“As a team, David’s part of it, we want to show we can bounce back.

“He will surely want to leave with a good impression and then after that, we’ll see what happens.”

Villa was initially expected to stay until December.

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He has made a big impact in a short time, scoring equalisers against Sydney FC and Newcastle to rescue draws.

And van ‘t Schip suggested Villa’s influence on City had gone far beyond his fluent on-pitch work.

“Taking away the games, David coming here has been great for our club,” he said.

“The amount of attention … and just having him there … being a positive player with the sessions.

“Also outside the sessions, it’s all been very positive.”

Argentine Jonatan Germano could be among the players returning for City on Friday, when the seventh-placed side will be searching for their first win of the season.

Van ‘t Schip conceded the club was still adapting to the pressure that accompanied City Football Group’s investment and a glut of talented off-season signings.

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“We have to get used to the expectations of being one of the teams that has to win,” he said.

“Opponents are approaching us differently as well, because we’ve got some players with big names.

“We have to show character … we have to get more clinical and professional.”

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