Spain confident despite Villa injury

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-28  |     ONLINE EDITION

SPAIN doesn't think the absence of injured striker David Villa will keep it from winning the nation's first title in 44 years when it takes on Germany in the European Championship final.

Midfielder Xabi Alonso said yesterday that Spain has such depth of talent on the bench that losing Villa - the tournament's top scorer with four goals - isn't going to hurt the team's chances.

"I don't think it will be a big problem for us," said Xabi Alonso, a second-half substitute in Spain's 3-0 semifinal win over Russia on Thursday. "Whoever is coming from the bench is doing a great job and that is as important as who is starting."

Villa, who's scored the only hat trick at Euro 2008 against Russia in Spain's 4-1 win in the group stage two weeks ago, said he would likely miss the final after pulling a hamstring muscle while taking a free kick in the first half at Ernst Happel Stadium.

"I'm a little sad that I won't be there to take part, but it's better that a teammate who is fit plays instead of me, particularly as my injury has left me limping quite badly," Villa said.

Spain's team doctor Jesus Jimenez said yesterday that Villa has a small rupture in his right hamstring that will take between five-to-10 days to heal.

"He's been ruled out of the final," Jimenez told reporters.

Midfielder Santi Cazorla said Spain had enough reserve talent to adjust to the situation.

"We have great players in every position. Whoever plays will do a good job," Cazorla said.

Coach Luis Aragones inserted Cesc Fabregas to replace Villa and boost Spain's midfield, leaving Fernando Torres as the sole attacker. The move worked, with Spain scoring three goals in the second half, two of them set up by Fabregas.

Aragones was confident his team could beat the Germans, saying he didn't think they played that well in their semifinal against Turkey.