UPDATED! News of the Day: David Villa Out 4-5 Months With a Fractured Tibia

By: Ade C. | December 15th, 2011

Just before half-time of the Club World Cup semifinals between Al-Sadd and Barça (which we won 0-4), David Villa had to be subbed off with what quickly was informed to be a fractured tibia.

No words. (image via Sport.es)

He was taken to hospital immediately and is having further tests, but it’s probable he’ll be out for around six months, putting an end to his season with Barça and probably seeing him out of the Euro2012 with Spain too.

It’s rotten news. It’s true he’d been having a slump and not starting all games, but Villa was still a very important piece of the team and losing him for so long is going to be a massive blow for the team and Pep’s plans; we can’t play Cesc or Iniesta on the wing forever and ever, after all.

Not five minutes after the injury, some ‘journalists’ jumped on the “bring back Fernando Torres to Spain!” ship, but that’d be the stupidest signing we could make, worse than bringing back Bojan at once. So what are Barça’s options? Personally, I’d bring Jonathan Soriano up from Barça B; we need goals and Scoriano is nothing but goals. What do you think? Do we even need a replacement?

We’ll update this post as we get more news, but in the meanwhile, follow us on Twitter for updates on Villa and everything else.

ETA: video of the injury after the jump, thanks to 101greatgoals.

And remember, Villa had, as Pep admitted earlier this season, been playing with a fissure in his tibia since the summer, withstanding pain all the time…

ETA II: Villa has left hospital and returned to the team hotel, and now the club is arranging a flight for him to be taken back to Barcelona for surgery as soon as possible. A journalist close to him has said that Villa told his family the first diagnosis indicated the recovery period would be less than six months.

ETA III: the club has released an official statement after Villa’s medical tests in Japan: Villa suffered a fracture in the lower third of his left shinbone. He will have surgery in Barcelona in the coming days, and his estimated recovery time will be of approximately 4-5 months.

ETA IV: Villa writes on his Facebook page.

Hi everyone! Thanks for your support!!! This injury is a harsh blow, but I’m convinced I’m going to recover as soon as possible, thinking about playing [the Champions League] final in Munich (I know my teammates will take me there) and Euros. I’m going to work hard for that. They can count on me!!! Tomorrow I’ll be back un Spain. Hugs!

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Category: Barcelona, Injuries

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Zac

No need to go out and buy someone in my opinion. Cuenca has played really well in his time plus with Sanchez healthy we have plenty of options. I would expect Dos Santos or Sergi Roberto to get the promotion up to the first team for the time being or possibly Montoya. But we shouldn't spend money when we don't need to
J Gave

The team do have options up front without Villa.
Cuenca has come up really well on the wing, and there is still Alexis and Fabregas.
With a team of "10 midfielders" as has often been the criticism of Barça, they can move others to the front.
Plus, Afelay should be back soon, and then we will really get cooking.
Buying someone else will not be the answer. Let's hope the injury curse of this season breaks...(knocks on wood).
Marc

AAARRGH! That's a real heartbreak. I'm bummed.

Could be a lot worse though where the team is concerned. Could have been Messi or Xavi. That's hardly reasurring.
Black Pearl

ANIMS VILLA
Natasha

I'm trying hard to be positive about this but it really is a huge loss for both Barca and Spain's NT. Thankfully he'll have some of the best physios helping him recover and hopefully he'll be back sooner than estimated.