Villa targeting more regular Barca role

SaturdayMálaga     vs     Rayo        17:00Barcelona     vs     Celta Vigo    19:00Real Madrid     vs     R Zaragoza    21:00Valencia     vs     Atlético    23:00

Friday, November 02, 2012

SaturdayMálaga     vs     Rayo        17:00Barcelona     vs     Celta Vigo    19:00Real Madrid     vs     R Zaragoza    21:00Valencia     vs     Atlético    23:00SundayR Sociedad     vs     Espanyol    13:00Deportivo     vs     Mallorca    17:00Osasuna     vs     Valladolid    18:50Granada     vs     Athletic    20:45Sevilla     vs     Levante    22:30MondayGetafe     vs     Betis        22:30MADRID - Barcelona forward David Villa is hoping his performance and goal in Wednesday night’s 3-0 Copa del Rey victory over Alaves will lead to more opportunities for the first team.The former Valencia man opened the scoring at the Estadio de Mendizorroza in what was only his fourth start of the season after eight months out injured with a fractured tibia.Villa is desperate for more playing time in the Primera Division and could be in line to face Celta Vigo this Saturday."After all this time I want to play as much as possible, but I am in the hands of professionals and they know what’s best for me,’’ he said. "I’m at the best club in the world, where there is competition to start in every game.’’Boss Tito Vilanova will be without Gerard Pique although his other defensive problems have been slightly eased as Dani Alves made his return from injury against Alaves, while Javier Mascherano is available again after serving his one-game ban in the 5-0 win over Rayo Vallecano last weekend.Gustavo Cabral is suspended for the visitors and is set to be replaced by Samuel, while Cristian Bustos is expected to replace Mario Bermejo.Barca’s arch rivals Real Madrid, who find themselves eight points behind the leaders, have five first-team players out due to injury or suspension for the visit of Real Zaragoza.Xabi Alonso is banned after seeing his fifth yellow card of the season in the 5-0 win over Mallorca last time out, while Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Coentrao, Marcelo and Sami Khedira are still sidelined by injury.Zaragoza will be without Adam Pinter, Ivan Obradovic and Maurizio Lanzaro who are all still out injured.Atletico Madrid are second to Barcelona on goal difference and will have a fresh squad ahead of their crunch clash with Valencia on Sunday, with many first-team players rested for their midweek cup triumph over Real Jaen.