Thaindian News

Madrid, Sep 8 (IANS) Spanish striker David Villa expressed his satisfaction at returning to international football with a goal against Saudi Arabia.

Villa came on as a substitute for Fernando Torres early in the second half of Spain’s 5-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia Friday and wasted little time getting his name on the scoresheet as he scored from the penalty spot following a foul on Nacho Monreal, reports Xinhua.

It was the 52nd international goal of his career and the perfect way to cap his return to international football. A broken leg suffered in the World Club Championship in December saw Villa miss the second half of last season and his recovery was too late for him to be called up for the European Championships in the summer.

Spain were crowned European Champions without Villa, but the Barca forward was glad to have made his return now.

“I have not had a good time away from here. I really missed all of this. All of the living with the squad and the good atmosphere,” he said Saturday.

Villa’s goal puts him in line to start as Spain begin their defence of the World Cup, which they won in 2010, with their first qualifying game in Georgia Tuesday.

“I am happy to be here again. I had a bad time not being here and now I have to enjoy it all that I can,” said the striker.

Villa will battle it out for a place in the starting 11 against Fernando Torres, who played his 100th game for Spain against the Saudis.

“It is hard to play 100 matches for any national team and you have to congratulate him, because he deserves it. Fortunately for all of us he is in good form and he is a special player,” said Villa.