After a long, long absence, David Villa made his much anticipated return on Saturday, playing his very first minutes since December 2011, when he broke his leg in the Club World Cup.

He replaced Sergi Roberto in the 72nd minute of tonight’s game against Dinamo Bucharest, and showed the type of player we know: lots of runs and lots of sacrifice, trying to combine with his team mates as if he had never left.

After the game, David Villa was asked his thoughts on his return. Mundo Deportivo reports that the striker said, “this is a very happy day, I have felt like a footballer again.”

Still, David is cautious. ”I have to be patient, I have taken a huge step forward, but I know I have a long way to get to my best. I would like to reach it soon, but I have to be patient. I have felt very good during the week, so that is why we decided to give it a go. Now I have to prepare myself to get to my level, although I don’t know how long that will take.”

Villa showed his optimism, saying that “my goal is not to be the player I was before the injury, but an even better player.”

Another player that came back after a long absence was Andreu Fontàs, who played almost an entire half. It remains to be seen if Tito will give him minutes as he has done with Bartra so far this preseason, who has played at an impressive level.

Source: Mundo Deportivo