Cazorla: Villa injury a ´heavy blow´

Malaga winger Santi Cazorla has described Spain team-mate David Villa’s absence at Euro 2012 as a ‘heavy blow’.

Barcelona announced on Tuesday Villa would be unable to take part in the tournament in Poland and Ukraine, as he will not recover in time from a fractured tibia sustained in December 2011.

A disappointed Cazorla said Spain would not have won either Euro 2008 or the 2010 World Cup without Villa.

“This is a considerable loss because David was an important player for us,” he told reporters.

“If he had not been at the Euros and at the World Cup, Spain would not have been champions.

“He gave us a lot, and we will have to make sure that this loss will not be that noticeable. It is a heavy blow, I would like to take this chance to send him my best.

“But we have to continue moving forward.”

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea also lamented the injury to one of Spain’s key players.

“He is a key player for this team, top scorer at the World Cup, so it is a shame that he is not here,” he said.

“We hope he will recover as soon as possible to return to the field.”