Villa blow for Barca, Spain

Barcelona and Spain striker David Villa is facing six months on the sidelines after fracturing his tibia at the Club World Cup.

The La Liga and Champions League holders went on to defeat Qatari club Al Sadd 4-0 and reach the final, but it was Villa’s departure after 39 minutes that was the cause for most concern.

Villa collided with an opposing defender and landed awkwardly on his left leg in the penalty area. If the damage is a bad as expected, Spain’s all-time leading scorer will be racing against the clock to be fit for Euro 2012 next June.

Villa has endured an indifferent season to date, having failed to nail down a starting berth with the Catalan giants, despite playing an integral role last campaign with 34 goals in 63 appearances.

Villa featured from the start against the Asian Champions League holders but was immediately taken to hospital for examination after he was stretchered off the pitch.

Barcelona announced on their website that Villa had fractured the tibia in his left leg.

Villa will undergo further tests later on Thursday before a decision is made about the attacker’s treatment.