David Villa doesn’t believe his old club Barcelona are welcoming their Champions League quarter-final meeting with Atletico Madrid.
The draw on Friday saw the sides paired in the last eight of the tournament and Villa has told an interview with AS that in his opinion, Barca did not want to play Atletico.
“I have found memories of Barca but I will fight to beat them, in the League and in a hard eliminator,” Villa said.
“We must be at our best, but Barca didn’t want to see us in the quarter final.
“We’re fighting with Real Madrid and Barca for the title, which is already an achievement,” Villa continued.
“There is a lot of value in what we are doing, but for now we’re not contemplating what it would be like to win the League.
“One of the mantras of Diego Simeone is game by game and we respect that.”
Villa added that he hasn’t experienced a drop in the quality of his life on or off the pitch since swapping Barca for Atleti last summer.
“Not much has changed. I went from one big city to another. The day is almost the same and my family is happy,” Villa revealed.
“As for the club, don’t forget Atletico is one of the biggest teams in Spain. I was lucky to find such a welcoming team.
“My current teammates have always made me feel at home.”
Villa has often partnered Diego Costa in leading the Atletico attack and says his bond with the Brazil-born Spain international is strong.
“My relationship with Diego is good on and off the field. We both work for the team and that brings out the best in our game.
“Atletico is a team effort. Diego is a great striker and his goal tally this year confirms that.”
At 32 Villa is winding down his career and admits to being tempted by a move away from Spain, as well as conceding this summer is his last World Cup opportunity.
But Villa also feels that his advanced years have made him a better player.
“I’ve got experience. I have improved my movement to suit my killer instinct – which I’ll never lose,” he said.
“I’m working harder than ever on the physical side because we all have to give extra. I’m in great form and I’m happy if I’m giving assists.
“I’m doing everything possible to go to the World Cup, but it depends on the decision of the Coach.
“For Russia [in 2018] I’ll be 36 and having seen the next great generation, one can say Brazil [2014] will be my last.
“In recent years I’ve had offers to go away from Spain. Who knows what will happen in the future.
“America is an interesting destination. The MLS has grown in recent years and I have friends who have gone there and they speak highly of it.
“The US has big competitions like the NBA and the NFL, and I think MLS will be one of the big ones of the future.
“For now I don’t want to think about it. Atletico have an incredible few months ahead.”
