Villa: Tito will be a hit at Barca

Barcelona striker David Villa believes incoming coach Tito Vilanova has the quality to be a big hit at Camp Nou.

The 42-year-old is set to take charge of Barca after Pep Guardiola decided to leave the club to take a year-long sabbatical from football and Villa thinks Vilanova will be able to follow in his predecessor’s footsteps.

“Tito is ready to coach Barca,” Villa told AS. “Guardiola did not make a decision without consulting Tito first.”

The 30-year-old striker will be unable to take part for Spain at Euro 2012 as he was unable to recover in time from a fractured tibia sustained at the Club World Cup in December.

“I gave my all to be at the Euros, but in July a new season starts and everything needs to be better,” he said.

“I could not be part of the squad and risk getting a new injury that would hurt Barca.”