It’s a new look defence for Barcelona at home to Granada tonight, but they welcome a familiar face back to the attack.
Barcelona Coach Tito Vilanova has been forced to completely change his back-line aside from Brazilian full back Adriano from last weekend’s victory over convincing victory over Getafe.
Dani Alves returns from injury as Martin Montoya is left out after starting last Sunday. Originally midfielders, Alex Song and Javier Mascherano will form the central defensive partnership in Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique’s respective absences through injury. This means that youngster Marc Bartra misses out.
Meanwhile, Thiago Alcantara continues his return from a recent injury, whilst Xavi Hernandez is rested and Andres Iniesta still unavailable also through injury.
Villa is in attack alongside Lionel Messi and Alexis Sanchez, marking his first start since returning from a broken leg. Cristian Tello is rested after an exceptional display in midweek.
Visiting Granada boss Juan Antonio Anquela has welcomed back Borja Gomez in defence in place of Diego Mainz and selected playmaker Yacine Brahimi ahead of Youssef El-Arabi. Otherwise, the nine remaining players started the team’s home draw with Deportivo last weekend.
On-loan Udinese forwards Antonio Floro Flores and Gabriel Torje will be the central creative outlets should the club have a chance of breaking down the Catalan giants.
Starting line-ups
Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Song, Mascherano, Adriano; Cesc, Busquets, Thiago; Alexis, Messi, Villa
Granada: Tono; Nyom, Inigo Lopez, Borja Gomez, Siqueira; Iriney, Mikel Rico; Torje, Brahimi, Orellana; Floro Flores
