Villa happy to get back to "physical best"

By FOX Sports Staff

The Spain international had been struggling for fitness after breaking his leg in the 2011 Club World Cup competition.

He returned at the start of the season but did not claim a regular first-team berth as he took his time to recuperate from the injury.

However, he has played a prominent role for the side in recent weeks and scored the crucial third goal against AC Milan to put Barcelona ahead in their Champions League last-16 tie. The Catalan side secured an aggregate 4-2 win and will now get to face Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals.

Villa, who scored a goal and assisted for Messi's brace in the win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, has revealed that he feels he is now back to prime fitness.

"Physically, I'm at my best - I've got over all those little problems that were bothering me and I'm happy to be feeling fine again," the ex-Valencia player told Barca TV.

"I've been working hard for quite a while to overcome my difficulties and I'm pleased to get to this stage of the season scoring goals and getting plenty of game time."

The forward is also happy to help out his team-mates register goals and is eyeing a place in the Champions League final in Wembley.

"I'm happy to help the team with goals and assists. I don't normally set up that many goals and I really feel valuable having done so in these last couple of matches.

"I'm very pleased with how I did this week and now I just want to make sure I carry on like that and help the team to get to the end of the league and the Champions League final.

"I've shown for Barça and for Spain that I can play out wide and I'm happy to play in either position, but the nearer I am to the box, the easier it is for me, as I've always been a number 9."

Reports in the Spanish media are also indicating that Villa could be offered a new deal in order to quell speculation of a move to the Premier League in the near future.