Villa blow for Spain

Top scorer to sit out Euro 2008 final

Last updated: 27th June 2008

David Villa Spain ITV

Villa: Injury blow

I'm a little sad that I won't be there to take part, but it's better that a team-mate who is fit plays instead of me.

David Villa
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David Villa has been ruled out of Spain's Euro 2008 final against Germany on Sunday.

The Valencia striker limped out of Spain's 3-0 semi-final victory over Russia after striking the ground while taking a first-half free-kick.

And Villa, who is the current top scorer at Euro 2008 with four goals, has now had to concede defeat in his battle to be fit for the final in Vienna in two days' time.

Spain's team doctor Jesus Jimenez says Villa has a small rupture in his right leg muscle that will take five-to-10 days to heal and the forward has admitted his disappointment.

"Now I am going to have to enjoy (the final) from the sidelines," Villa is quoted as saying in Marca.

Alonso warning

"To force myself would be stupid. I would go as far as to play even with an injury but this is a team effort.

"There are others who will do better at 100 per cent fitness.

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

Meanwhile, Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso has warned Germany that he and his team-mates can only improve and that Villa will not be missed.

"The best is yet to come and we need to finish off what we have done so far," added Alonso. "We are hungry for success, we want to lift the cup on Sunday.

"Whoever is playing, I think we have different options and enough courage to have a good system and it (Villa's absence) won't be a problem for us."