Barca´s Villa out of hospital

Barcelona forward David Villa is out of hospital five days after surgery on his broken left leg.

Villa suffered the fracture in the Club World Cup semi-finals in Japan.

“This means the Barca number seven can spend the Christmas holidays with his family,” the La Liga club said on their website.

Spain international Villa, the world and European champions’ all-time leading scorer, is expected to be sidelined for up to five months, putting his participation at Euro 2012 in doubt.

Doctors said the 30-year-old had been suffering from a stress fracture but the operation had gone “fantastically well”.

His rehabilitation period is expected to last four to five months but the 30-year-old is optimistic of making a quick comeback.

“I’m really looking forward to getting well so I can return and fight on the pitch,” Villa said on the club website.

“With a lot of work and with people’s help, you’ll see me on the football field soon, enjoying myself like I did before.”

“My head has been recovering ever since the surgery. I’ll start to rehabilitate this leg soon. I’m really looking forward to getting well so I can return and fight on the pitch.”

Dr Ramon Cugat, who oversaw Villa’s operation, said the medical team is hopeful the striker will be match fit in time for Euro 2012.

“The hope of him (Villa) and everyone will be that he can play at the European Championships,” Dr Cugat said.

“The chances that Villa will play this season are small but you can’t rule out anything.”