Villa welcomes Vilanova return

Barcelona’s David Villa is delighted at the return of coach Tito Vilanova as his side prepare to face PSG in the Champions League.

Vilanova is in line to take charge of Tuesday’s quarter-final in his first game since undergoing treatment for cancer in the United States.

“You can imagine that it’s a huge joy for us that he (Tito Vilanova) is back here with us, because he is our boss, our manager, and when the boss is with the team it is always much easier especially in this key period,” Villa said.

“In these months, when we are going to be playing the most important part of the season, it is great to see him all right, looking happy and healthy.

“There is a great feeling seeing him here and we are able to enjoy having him with us and we expect that from now on everything will be ok, and he carries on getting better with his health improving each day.”

The 31-year-old Spanish international also played down the fact that his side are strong favourites to progress in the tie, insisting that nothing matters other than their performance on the pitch.

“In a competition such as this, at this high level, it is complicated analysing who is the favourite team in a leg,” Villa said.

“All the teams that arrived here came because of their own merits and anyone can eliminate the other and get into the final.

“However, I have always been of the same opinion: it does not matter who is the favourite before the referees whistle goes.

“The history between two opponents also doesn’t matter, because Tuesday’s match will be different from other games in other years and in other times and the favourite will be decided on the pitch.”