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.
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.
“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.”
Matthew Skellett
Guest
The thing is the 'Heart Curse' seems to have transferred to the City Morph of the Club -the club has lumped a number of individually talented players together hoping that somehow the football fairy will wave a magic wand and that they will all blend into a seamless whole . The seamless whole will then find no trouble to move as one into winning games consistently . Well we all know that takes a lot of mutual willpower, hard work and a bit of luck -However none of those ingredients have manifested themselves in any meaningfully consistent way as yet and the chances of them doing so in the future look increasingly remote . Melbourne City looks like a rudderless ship waiting for the tidal wave that will roll it over -who knows? Man C admin might decide to dis-own the club and write it off as a tax loss - where will be the reckoning be then ?
Batou
Guest
Oops! To be honest, this might sound crazy but City might be better without him. He looked frustrated and uncommitted. Like a plumber who volunteered to help his mate with a renovation and finds himself giving the garage dunny a clean before they get started. I don't think that guest stints like this help create effective teams, although they do help create publicity. The other problem of course is that city brought in a couple of good players but most of the team would struggle to get a game at most other A-League clubs.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Yes well that didn't happen and I think JVS has that "waiting for the guillotine" look about him too ;-)
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Hahaha what?
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Well it looks like hes leaving Australia without a win !
mattq
Guest
dude you shouldn't drink before midday
Adrian none
Roar Rookie
as i said last week, David Villa and Damien Duff in team, i no wins (this is not a Melb City out down)