View source for David Villa

{{Short description|Spanish professional footballer (born 1981)}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{family name hatnote|Villa|Sánchez|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = David Villa
| image = Spain-Tahiti, Confederations Cup 2013 (02) (Villa crop).jpg
| image_size = 
| caption = Villa with [[Spain national football team|Spain]] at the [[2013 FIFA Confederations Cup]]
| fullname = David Villa Sánchez<ref name="fifadata">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/22/85/78/fwc_2010_squadlists.pdf |title=FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: List of Players: Spain |publisher=FIFA |access-date=13 September 2013 |page=29 |date=4 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616010702/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/22/85/78/fwc_2010_squadlists.pdf |archive-date=16 June 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1981|12|3}}<ref name="fifadata"/>
| birth_place = [[Langreo]], Spain
| height = 1.75 m<ref name="fifadata"/>
| position = [[Striker (association football)|Striker]]
| currentclub = 
| youthyears1 = 1991–1999
| youthclubs1 = [[UP Langreo|Langreo]]
| youthyears2 = 1999–2000
| youthclubs2 = [[Sporting de Gijón (youth)|Sporting Gijón]]
| years1 = 2000–2001
| clubs1 = [[Sporting de Gijón B|Sporting Gijón B]]
| caps1 = 36
| goals1 = 14
| years2 = 2001–2003
| clubs2 = [[Sporting de Gijón|Sporting Gijón]]
| caps2 = 80
| goals2 = 38
| years3 = 2003–2005
| clubs3 = [[Real Zaragoza]]
| caps3 = 73
| goals3 = 32
| years4 = 2005–2010
| clubs4 = [[Valencia CF|Valencia]]<ref name="SW"/><ref>{{cite web|title=David Villa Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/ade08a67/David-Villa|access-date=2021-06-02|website=FBref.com|language=en}}</ref>
| caps4 = 166
| goals4 = 108
| years5 = 2010–2013
| clubs5 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
| caps5 = 77
| goals5 = 33
| years6 = 2013–2014
| clubs6 = [[Atlético Madrid]]
| caps6 = 36
| goals6 = 13
| years7 = 2014–2018
| clubs7 = [[New York City FC]]
| caps7 = 117
| goals7 = 77
| years8 = 2014
| clubs8 = → [[Melbourne City FC|Melbourne City]] (loan)
| caps8 = 4
| goals8 = 2
| years9 = 2019–2020
| clubs9 = [[Vissel Kobe]]
| caps9 = 28
| goals9 = 13
| totalcaps = 617
| totalgoals = 330
| nationalyears1 = 2001–2002
| nationalteam1 = [[Asturias autonomous football team|Asturias]]
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2002–2003
| nationalteam2 = [[Spain national under-21 football team|Spain U21]]
| nationalcaps2 = 7
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2005–2017
| nationalteam3 = [[Spain national football team|Spain]]
| nationalcaps3 = 98
| nationalgoals3 = [[List of international goals scored by David Villa|59]]
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[Association football|Football]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|ESP}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 South Africa]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[UEFA European Championship]]}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[UEFA Euro 2008|2008 Austria–Switzerland]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA Confederations Cup]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2013 FIFA Confederations Cup|2013 Brazil]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup|2009 South Africa]]|}}
}}
'''David Villa Sánchez''' ({{IPA|es|daˈβið ˈbiʎa santʃeθ}}; born 3 December 1981) is a Spanish former professional [[association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]]. Regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation,<ref name="theguardian.com" /><ref name="giornaledioggi.com" /><ref name="Goleadores y... mucho más" /> Villa is the [[Top international association football goal scorers by country|all-time top goalscorer]] of the [[Spain national football team|Spain national team]]. He is currently the vice-president of [[Royal Spanish Football Federation|Spanish]] [[Tercera Federación]] club [[CF Benidorm]].<ref name="Benidorm">{{cite web|url=https://cfbenidorm.es/ultimahora/dv7-group-presenta-en-benidorm-su-proyecto-de-futbol-en-la-iconica-ciudad-desde-la-base-y-a-largo-plazo%e2%80%8b/ |title=La sociedad de David Villa y Víctor Oñate adquiere la propiedad del CF Benidorm. |language=Spanish |publisher=cfbenidorm.es |date=8 March 2023 |accessdate=8 October 2024}}</ref>

Nicknamed '''El Guaje''' (''The Kid'' in [[Asturian language|Asturian]]) due to a reputation of playing football with children much older than him,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/people/spain/1713/david-villa/profile# |title=David Villa - Barcelona FC |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130716073434/http://www.goal.com/en/people/spain/1713/david-villa/profile |archive-date=16 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://football-tickets.barcelona.com/index.php/david_villa |title=David Villa Sánchez - FC Barcelona player |access-date=2 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102074612/http://football-tickets.barcelona.com/index.php/david_villa |archive-date=2 November 2014}}</ref> Villa sustained a serious injury as a child but managed to start his professional career with [[Sporting de Gijón]] in 2001. He moved to [[Real Zaragoza]] after two seasons, where he made his [[La Liga]] debut, and won the [[Copa del Rey]] and [[Supercopa de España]]. He joined [[Valencia CF|Valencia]] in 2005 for a transfer fee of €12&nbsp;million and captured another [[2007–08 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] title.

After a five-season tenure in Valencia where Villa elevated into one of the best players in La Liga, he signed for [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] for €40&nbsp;million in 2010. In his first season, he won his first La Liga and [[UEFA Champions League]] titles, scoring in the [[2011 UEFA Champions League Final|2011 final]]. He left the club in 2013 after transferring to [[Atlético Madrid]], where he won another La Liga title and reached the [[2014 UEFA Champions League final]]. After a single season in the Spanish capital, Villa departed to join new [[Major League Soccer|MLS]] franchise [[New York City FC|New York City]], where he became the club's record goalscorer and appearance maker, winning the [[Landon Donovan MVP Award|MLS MVP Award]] for best player in 2016.<ref name="MVP" /> In 2018, Villa announced his departure from New York, to join [[Vissel Kobe]] in Japan before retiring in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46411014|title=David Villa: Ex-Barcelona striker to join Andres Iniesta at Vissel Kobe|date=1 December 2018|access-date=20 December 2018|website=BBC Sport}}</ref>

Villa made his international debut for Spain in 2005. He participated in four major tournaments, and was an integral member of the Spain teams that won [[UEFA Euro 2008]] and the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]]. He scored three goals at the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]], was the top scorer at Euro 2008, and earned the [[World Cup Golden Boot|Silver Boot]] at the 2010 World Cup. His displays for Spain and Valencia saw him named in the [[FIFPro#FIFA FIFPro Men's World11|FIFPro World XI]] and [[UEFA Team of the Year]] for 2010. Having scored at the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]], Villa established himself as Spain's top scorer in World Cup history, with nine goals.<ref name="SIvilla">{{cite news |date=12 October 2010 |title=David Villa breaks Spain's scoring record |publisher=Stamford Advocate |url=http://www.greenwichtime.com/default/article/David-Villa-breaks-Spain-s-scoring-record-703373.php |access-date=12 October 2010}} {{Dead link|date=November 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Goalscoring for Spain National Team |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/span-recintlp.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204122142/http://rsssf.com/miscellaneous/span-recintlp.html |archive-date=4 February 2009 |access-date=12 February 2009 |website=[[RSSSF]]}}</ref> He became the first Spanish player to ever reach 50 international goals and, after a brief comeback in 2017,<ref name="VillaRecall" /> he retired from the national team with 59 goals in 98 matches.

{{toclimit|3}}

==Childhood and early career==
Villa was born in [[Tuilla]], a small parish in [[Langreo]], [[Asturias]], a region in northern Spain, the son of José Manuel Villa, a [[mining|miner]].<ref name="thriller">{{cite web|url=http://www.sportstaronnet.com/tss3044/stories/20071103503903300.htm|title=Villa, a thriller|work=[[Sportstar]]|date=3 November 2007|access-date=7 September 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927185152/http://www.sportstaronnet.com/tss3044/stories/20071103503903300.htm|archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=David Villa thrives on playing under pressure for Barcelona and Spain|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/sep/18/david-villa-barcelona-spain|newspaper=The Guardian|date=18 September 2010|access-date=18 September 2010|location=London|first=Barney|last=Ronay|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019144818/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/sep/18/david-villa-barcelona-spain|archive-date=19 October 2013}}</ref> When Villa was four, his chances of becoming a footballer were put in jeopardy when he suffered a fracture to the [[femur]] in his right leg, but he made a complete recovery.<ref name="espnpro">{{cite web|title=David Villa – ESPN Profile|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/profile?id=28600&cc=5739|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|year=2006|access-date=7 September 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823062932/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/profile?id=28600&cc=5739|archive-date=23 August 2009}}</ref> Due to the injury, he and his father worked on strengthening his left leg and Villa ultimately became [[Ambidexterity|ambidextrous]].<ref name="dvow1"/> He recalls his father being consistently supportive: "He would be there throwing me the ball over and over, making me kick it with my left leg when my right was in plaster after breaking it, I was four. I can barely remember a single training session when my dad wasn't there. I have never been alone on a football pitch."<ref>{{cite web|language=en-US|url=https://sportslens.com/the-meteoric-rise-of-david-villa/50179/|title=The Meteoric Rise of David Villa|author=Soccerlens|website=Sportslens.com|date=2010-07-11|access-date=2020-08-04}}</ref>

Villa admitted that he came close to giving up football at the age of 14 after growing disillusioned and falling out with his coach. However, thanks to his parents' encouragement, he persisted in pursuing his dream, realising his talent could earn him a living.<ref name="thriller" /> "In those days I was a nobody, not earning a penny and after being made to sit on the bench all season I just wanted to get away and play with my friends" he said. "But my dad always supported me and cheered me up until my career turned round."<ref name="thriller" /><ref name="442villaPDF">{{cite news|url=http://www.davidvilla7.es/uploads/files/david_villa_feature.pdf|title=David Villa – Europe's Most Wanted|publisher=David Villa Official Website|date=June 2009|access-date=1 September 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906064629/http://www.davidvilla7.es/uploads/files/david_villa_feature.pdf|archive-date=6 September 2011}}</ref> He went on to begin his footballing career at [[UP Langreo]] and when he turned 17 he joined the Mareo football school.<ref name="dvow1">{{cite web|url=http://www.davidvilla7.com/biografia.php?idioma=2&id=1|title=David Villa Official Website – Biography|publisher=David Villa Official Website|access-date=7 September 2009}}</ref>

==Club career==

===Sporting Gijón===
Villa attracted interest from many Asturian teams, but one of the province's bigger teams, [[Real Oviedo]], declared that he was too short and that they did not believe he had sufficient potential.<ref name="sidvilla">{{cite news | title = David Villa: the born goalscorer the giants failed to net | url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/aug/12/david-villa-valencia-worlds-best-striker | newspaper = The Guardian | date = 12 August 2009 | access-date = 29 August 2009 | author = Sid Lowe | location = London | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131224200733/http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/aug/12/david-villa-valencia-worlds-best-striker | archive-date = 24 December 2013 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="villasportinglife"/> He subsequently got his professional breakthrough at his local club [[Sporting de Gijón]], following in the footsteps of his childhood idol [[Quini]].<ref name="dvow1"/> Starting out at the team's [[Sporting de Gijón (youth)|youth ranks]], he made his first-team debut in the 2000–01 season. After scoring 25 goals in two seasons, he became a first team regular.<ref name="villasportinglife">{{cite web| title = David Villa Official Website – Sporting Life| url = http://www.davidvilla7.com/biografia.php?id=2| publisher = David Villa Official Website| year = 2008| access-date = 7 November 2008| url-status=live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081221121438/http://www.davidvilla7.com/biografia.php?id=2| archive-date = 21 December 2008| df = dmy-all}}</ref> Pepe Acebal, Sporting's manager at the time, said that Villa initially lacked the stamina to have a real impact and had to be given his chance bit by bit and that Villa's capacity for work was "unrivalled".<ref name="sidvilla" />
{{Quote box|
 width=20%
|align=right
|quote="He had great technical qualities. His first touch was superb and, although you can never be sure someone will make it, you could tell he was talented. He makes very clever diagonal runs, breaking away from defenders, and he invariably made the right decisions. He is very intuitive."
|source=–Pepe Acebal, former Sporting Gijón manager<ref name="sidvilla" />}}

===Real Zaragoza===

====2003–04 season====
With his goal tally nearly reaching 40 goals after spending two full seasons in Sporting's main team,<ref name="thyntkadv">{{cite web | title = David Villa profile: 10 Things you need to know about the Manchester City target | url = http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/David-Villa-profile-10-Things-you-need-to-know-about-the-Manchester-City-target-article38026.html | publisher = Mirror | date = 19 December 2008 | access-date = 10 September 2009 | author = Dan Silver | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100720134442/http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/David-Villa-profile-10-Things-you-need-to-know-about-the-Manchester-City-target-article38026.html | archive-date = 20 July 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Villa got his chance in Spain's top-flight when Sporting were in financial difficulty – newly promoted [[Real Zaragoza]] signed him for approximately €3&nbsp;million in the summer of 2003.<ref name="442villaPDF"/><ref name="villasportinglife" /> The striker had no trouble adapting to playing at the higher level, netting 17 times in his first season at Zaragoza.<ref name="sndvstat" /> His league debut came during Zaragoza's first [[La Liga]] game since his arrival, where the team were defeated 1–0 away by [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]]n side [[Deportivo de La Coruña]]<ref>{{cite web| title = Real Zaragoza 0 – 1 Deportivo La Coruña| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=118595&cc=5739| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 31 August 2003| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021212557/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=118595&cc=5739| archive-date = 21 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref> while his first goal came two games later, an eighth-minute goal against [[Real Murcia]] which put Zaragoza 2–0 up in a match which ended 3–0.<ref>{{cite web| title = Real Zaragoza 3 – 0 Murcia| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=121573&cc=5739| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 14 September 2003| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021212611/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=121573&cc=5739| archive-date = 21 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref> 4 December 2003 saw him net his first brace (two goals) in a 2–2 draw against [[Athletic Bilbao]]<ref>{{cite web |title = Real Zaragoza 2 – 2 Athletic Bilbao |url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=131617&cc=5739 |publisher = ESPN Soccernet |date = 4 December 2003 |access-date = 10 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021212621/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=131617&cc=5739 |archive-date = 21 October 2012 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> and on 25 April 2004, he scored his first [[hat-trick]] in a tight 4–4 draw against [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] which saw Villa score all four of Zaragoza's goals, putting his team ahead on two occasions.<ref>{{cite web| title = Real Zaragoza 4 – 4 Sevilla FC| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=150138&cc=5739| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 25 April 2004| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021212633/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=150138&cc=5739| archive-date = 21 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref>

Zaragoza reached the [[2003–04 Copa del Rey|2004 Copa del Rey]] final where he played a big part in the team's victory, scoring a crucial goal to put the [[Aragon]]ese outfit 2–1 up against [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] in a match which eventually ended 3–2. Soon after, he earned his first international call-up and cap, which resulted in Zaragoza fans becoming so proud of his achievements that they invented the [[football chant]] "''illa illa illa, Villa maravilla''", a play on the words "Villa" and "''maravilla''", the latter which translates to "marvel" but can also mean "wonderful" or "great" in that context.<ref name="dvow1" />

====2004–05 season====
After Zaragoza's triumph in the Copa del Rey, they were granted a place in the [[2004–05 UEFA Cup]]; this was Villa's first time playing in a European competition.<ref name="Statistics 2004-2005">{{cite web| title = Statistics 2004–2005| url = http://www.davidvilla7.com/estadisticas.php?temporada=2004/2005&idioma=2| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130121124416/http://www.davidvilla7.com/estadisticas.php?temporada=2004/2005&idioma=2| url-status = dead| archive-date = 21 January 2013| publisher = David Villa Official Website| access-date = 13 September 2009}}</ref> In the team's opening group game, against [[FC Utrecht|Utrecht]], Villa netted a brace in the dying minutes of the game, which ended 2–0 in Zaragoza's favour. In the round of 16, Zaragoza faced [[FK Austria Wien|Austria Wien]]. The first leg ended 1–1, while Villa scored in the second leg in an eventual 2–2 draw; Austria Wien progressed on the [[away goals rule]].<ref>{{cite web| title = UEFA Cup Qualifying 2004/05 Details| url = https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec200405det.html| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081022153655/http://www.rsssf.com/ec/ec200405det.html#uefaqdet| archive-date = 22 October 2008| website = [[RSSSF]]| df = dmy-all}}</ref> Meanwhile, in [[2004–05 La Liga|La Liga]], Villa excited Zaragoza fans on 23 September 2004 by putting the team 1–0 up against [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] at the [[Camp Nou]], although Barcelona came back to win the game 4–1.<ref>{{cite web| title = Barcelona 4 – 1 Real Zaragoza| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=163892&cc=5739| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 23 September 2004| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021212639/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=163892&cc=5739| archive-date = 21 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref> On 17 April 2005, Villa scored a brace which helped see off Sevilla in a 3–0 victory.<ref>{{cite web| title = Real Zaragoza 3 – 0 Sevilla FC| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=167880&cc=5739| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 31 October 2004| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021212648/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=167880&cc=5739| archive-date = 21 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref>

===Valencia===

====2005–06 season====
[[File:David Villa.jpg|thumb|Villa at the [[Ciutat Esportiva de Paterna]] in 2005]]
After his success at Zaragoza, the team was in need of money;<ref name="442villaPDF" /> as a result, Villa made his big move to one of Spanish football's heavyweights, as a new look Valencia under [[Quique Sánchez Flores]] parted with €12&nbsp;million to secure his services in the summer of 2005.<ref name="thyntkadv" /> During his first game in a Valencia shirt, an [[UEFA Intertoto Cup|Intertoto Cup]] match against [[Belgium|Belgian]] outfit [[K.A.A. Gent|Gent]], Villa scored the first goal in a game which Valencia won 2–0.<ref>{{cite web| title = Valencia 2 – 0 KAA Gent| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=186639&cc=5739| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 23 July 2005| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021212654/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=186639&cc=5739| archive-date = 21 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref> He made his league debut for Valencia coming on as a substitute against [[Real Betis]] in a 1–0 win on 27 August 2005.<ref>{{cite web| title = Valencia 1 – 0 Real Betis| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=188337&cc=5739| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 27 August 2005| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021212700/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=188337&cc=5739| archive-date = 21 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref> The next match would see his previous team, Zaragoza, leading 2–1 for the majority of the match; however, on the 81st minute, Villa came on as a late substitute for [[Rubén Baraja]] and scored the equalizer within the space of a minute, earning Valencia a point in a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{cite web| title = Real Zaragoza 2 – 2 Valencia| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=188619&cc=5739| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 11 September 2005| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021212739/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=188619&cc=5739| archive-date = 21 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref>

On 21 September, Villa would once again save Valencia a vital point by netting a brace against Barcelona at Camp Nou, actually giving his team the lead at one point after [[Víctor Valdés]]' clearance rebounded off Villa's back and into the net.<ref>{{cite web| title = Barcelona 2 – 2 Valencia| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=188605&cc=5739&league=ESP.1| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 21 September 2005| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021212756/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=188605&cc=5739&league=ESP.1| archive-date = 21 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = Barcelona 2 – 2 Valencia – Match information| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=188605&cc=5739| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 21 September 2005| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021212809/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=188605&cc=5739| archive-date = 21 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref> On 23 October, Villa scored the winning goal against another Spanish giant, this time Real Madrid at the [[Santiago Bernabéu Stadium]],<ref>{{cite web| title = Real Madrid 1 – 2 Valencia| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=188430&cc=5739| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 23 October 2005| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021212814/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=188430&cc=5739| archive-date = 21 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref> and would once again score against Barcelona on 12 February 2006, his one-goal proving enough to secure all three points in a 1–0 victory.<ref>{{cite web| title = Valencia 1 – 0 Barcelona| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=188577&cc=5739| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 12 February 2006| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021212822/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=188577&cc=5739| archive-date = 21 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref> Villa scored a goal against Deportivo La Coruña at the [[Estadio Riazor|Riazor]] on 4 February 2006, later described as "superb" by [[ESPN]] and "his best" by [[Sid Lowe]], who went on to credit it even more pointing out he achieved it "on the turn".<ref name="sidvilla" /> Hitting the ball from the halfway line (50 yards out) it sailed over the keepers head and into the net.<ref>{{cite web| title = Deportivo La Coruña 0 – 1 Valencia| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=188583&cc=5739&league=ESP.1| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 4 February 2006| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021212833/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=188583&cc=5739&league=ESP.1| archive-date = 21 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref>

Villa scored his first hat-trick for Valencia against Athletic Bilbao at [[San Mamés Stadium (1913)|San Mamés]] in La Liga on 23 April 2006. He managed the hat-trick in just over five minutes (80th to the 85th minute), making it one of the quickest hat-tricks ever recorded. Valencia won that game 3–0.<ref name="thriller"/> That season saw him score 25 goals in 35 league matches for Valencia,<ref name="sndvstat" /><ref>{{cite web| title = Fernando Sanchez Morientes| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=9610&cc=5739| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081003134452/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=9610&cc=5739| archive-date = 3 October 2008| df = dmy-all}}</ref> finishing one goal behind the league's top scorer [[Samuel Eto'o]] of Barcelona. Villa's goal tally that year was the best that any Valencia player had ever achieved since [[Edmundo Suárez]] over 60 years prior.<ref name="www1.uefa.com">{{cite web|title=7 – David Villa |url=http://www1.uefa.com/tournament/players/player=66414/index.html |publisher=UEFA |access-date=10 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425231907/http://www1.uefa.com/tournament/players/player%3D66414/index.html |archive-date=25 April 2009 }}</ref>

====2006–07 season====
Villa's form continued into the [[2006–07 La Liga|2006–07 season]], with the striker forming a partnership up front with former Real Madrid star [[Fernando Morientes]]. Between them, Villa and Morientes netted 43 goals in all competitions.<ref name="sndvstat" /> That year also saw Villa debut in the [[UEFA Champions League]]; his first match was a qualifying match, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–0 first leg loss against [[FC Red Bull Salzburg|Red Bull Salzburg]]. He went on to start the second leg and scored in a 3–0 win which saw Valencia qualify for the Champions League group stages.<ref>{{cite web| title = Valencia 3 – 0 SV Salzburg| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=204830&cc=5739&league=UEFA.CHAMPIONS| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 22 August 2006| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021212847/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=204830&cc=5739&league=UEFA.CHAMPIONS| archive-date = 21 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref> Crucial goals against [[A.S. Roma|Roma]]<ref>{{cite web| title = Valencia 2 – 1 AS Roma| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=205459&cc=5739| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 27 September 2006| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021212853/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=205459&cc=5739| archive-date = 21 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref> and [[FC Shakhtar Donetsk|Shakhtar Donetsk]]<ref>{{cite web| title = Valencia 2 – 0 Shakhtar Donetsk| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=205472&cc=5739| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 18 October 2006| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021213013/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=205472&cc=5739| archive-date = 21 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref> helped Valencia qualify for the knockout stages, where they faced [[Inter Milan]]. Villa scored a free-kick goal in the first leg away from home, while one of Inter's defenders complained that Villa had "made us look like idiots, all on his own".<ref name="sidvilla" /><ref name=BBC>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6425359.stm|title=UEFA charges Inter and Valencia|work=BBC Sport|date=20 March 2007|access-date=10 September 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221005623/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6425359.stm|archive-date=21 December 2008}}</ref> Valencia went through to the quarter-finals, where they faced [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]. Villa featured in both games but failed to make the score sheet as Valencia were knocked out by the [[London]] team 3–2 on aggregate.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/valencia-1-chelsea-2-ichelsea-win-32-on-aggi-lastgasp-essien-seals-chelseas-sweetest-victory-444201.html|title=Valencia 1 Chelsea 2 (Chelsea win 3–2 on agg)|newspaper=The Independent|date=11 April 2007|access-date=10 September 2009|location=London|first=Sam|last=Wallace|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511012548/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/valencia-1-chelsea-2-ichelsea-win-32-on-aggi-lastgasp-essien-seals-chelseas-sweetest-victory-444201.html|archive-date=11 May 2009}}</ref> In October 2006, he was included among the 50 nominees for the [[Ballon d'Or]] (often referred to as the European Footballer of the Year Award).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.footballdatabase.com/index.php?page=player&Id=6373&b=true&pn=David_Villa_Sánchez|title=David Villa Sánchez at Football Database|publisher=Football Database|access-date=10 September 2009}}</ref>

A crucial goal against [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]]<ref>{{cite web| title = Valencia 3 – 2 Espanyol| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=204049&cc=5739| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 31 March 2007| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021213029/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=204049&cc=5739| archive-date = 21 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref> and a brace against Sevilla<ref>{{cite web| title = Valencia 2 – 0 Sevilla FC| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=204068&cc=5739| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 15 April 2007| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021213053/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=204068&cc=5739| archive-date = 21 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref> helped him reach 16 goals that season and would see him come sixth in La Liga's top scorer list that season (scoring the same number of goals as fellow international [[Raúl Tamudo]])<ref name="socpuntliga0607">{{cite web| title = Spain La Liga 2006–2007 Soccer Statistics and Head-to-Head Comparison| url = http://www.soccerpunter.com/soccer-statistics/spain/spain-la-liga-2006-2007| publisher = SoccerPunter.com| year = 2007| access-date = 7 November 2007| url-status=live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071029053057/http://www.soccerpunter.com/soccer-statistics/spain/spain-la-liga-2006-2007| archive-date = 29 October 2007| df = dmy-all}}</ref> while he created more assists than anyone.<ref name="sidvilla" />

====2007–08 season====
[[File:David Villa scoring a penalty against Sevilla (462984160).jpg|thumb|left|Villa after scoring a penalty against [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] in 2007]]
The [[2007–08 La Liga|2007–08 season]] was not easy for Villa nor for his teammates. Early in the season, their manager, Quique Sánchez Flores, was fired and replaced by [[Ronald Koeman]], who ended up being fired on 22 April, after a run of poor results, even though he managed to win a trophy with Valencia after the team defeated [[Getafe CF|Getafe]] in the [[Copa del Rey]]-final. Koeman was replaced by highly rated [[UD Almería|Almería]] coach [[Unai Emery]] at the end of the season.<ref name="guardian_sacking">{{Cite news| url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/apr/21/europeanfootball.sport| title = King's Cup half empty for Koeman| work = The Guardian| date = 21 April 2008| access-date = 22 December 2008| location = London| first = Sid| last = Lowe| url-status=live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140213064519/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/apr/21/europeanfootball.sport| archive-date = 13 February 2014| df = dmy-all}}</ref> Under Koeman, Villa managed to see the back of the net 18 times in his 26 appearances.<ref name="dvow1" /><ref name="sndvstat" /> He also won the first professional trophy of his Valencia spell, winning the [[2007–08 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] for the second time in his career, beating Barcelona 3–2 in the semi-finals and then Getafe 3–1 in the final.<ref>{{Cite news| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=179139&cc=5739&league=ESP.1| title = Valencia 3 – 1 Getafe| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 20 March 2005| access-date = 11 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081206062032/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=179139&cc=5739&league=ESP.1| archive-date = 6 December 2008| df = dmy-all}}</ref> ensuring the team's place for the following season's [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]].<ref name="dvow1" /> By the end of the season, he signed a new six-year contract with Valencia, committing his future to the club until 2014.<ref>{{Cite news| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=566792&sec=europe&cc=5739| title = Villa delighted after penning new Valencia contract| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| date = 28 August 2008| access-date = 11 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081206061557/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=566792&sec=europe&cc=5739| archive-date = 6 December 2008| df = dmy-all}}</ref>

That season, Villa once again saw himself playing Champions League football. He scored the only goal in a 1–0 win against [[FC Schalke 04|Schalke 04]]<ref name="espnvalsch">{{cite web | title = Schalke 04 0 – 1 Valencia | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=228752&cc=5739 | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 18 September 2007 | access-date = 29 August 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021222001/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=228752&cc=5739 | archive-date = 21 October 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> and went on to put Valencia 1–0 up against Chelsea, although goals from [[Joe Cole]] and [[Didier Drogba]] saw Valencia lose 2–1.<ref name="espnvalche">{{cite web | title = Valencia 1 – 2 Chelsea | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=228776&cc=5739 | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 3 October 2007 | access-date = 29 August 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021222026/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=228776&cc=5739 | archive-date = 21 October 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Valencia finished bottom of the group and were knocked out. On his 100th league appearance for Valencia, Villa scored a hat-trick against [[Levante UD|Levante]]; his 54th, 55th and 56th league goals for the club.<ref>{{cite web | title = Levante 1 – 5 Valencia | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=226373&cc=5739 | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 11 May 2008 | access-date = 11 September 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081206062038/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=226373&cc=5739 | archive-date = 6 December 2008 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Another two goals on the final day of the season against [[Atlético Madrid]] completed his tally of 18 goals that season.<ref name="sndvstat" />

====2008–09 season====
After finishing as the top scorer at [[UEFA Euro 2008|Euro 2008]], Villa continued his form into the [[2008–09 La Liga|2008–09 season]], where he scored the first goal in a 3–0 win against [[RCD Mallorca|Mallorca]] in what was the opening game of the season.<ref>{{cite web | title = Che star commits future | url = http://www.clubcall.com/intl-football/che-star-commits-future-888926.html | publisher = [[ClubCall]] | date = 13 April 2009 | access-date = 11 September 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090416054042/http://www.clubcall.com/intl-football/che-star-commits-future-888926.html | archive-date = 16 April 2009 | url-status=dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref> After failing to sign the player, Real Madrid's manager at the time, [[Bernd Schuster]], accused Villa of having "no ambition",<ref name="442villaPDF" /> whereupon Villa responded by saying, "Footballing ambition is not about your mouth, it is about your feet. You can accuse me of lots of things – of having a bad day, of missing chances, of many things – but I have always had ambition and always will have. I think I have proved that on the pitch with Zaragoza, Sporting, UD Langreo, and the national team."<ref name="442villaPDF" /> In October 2008, [[Kaká]] praised Villa: speaking to [[Canal+ (French TV channel)|Canal+]], he claimed that Villa is "the best Spanish footballer" adding that, "The player with whom I would most like to play is David Villa of Valencia."<ref name="dvow3">{{cite web | title = David Villa Official Website – Potential and Safety | url = http://www.davidvilla7.com/biografia.php?idioma=2&id=3 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120524004743/http://www.davidvilla7.com/biografia.php?idioma=2&id=3 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 24 May 2012 | publisher = David Villa Official Website | year = 2008 | access-date = 11 September 2009 }}</ref> On 2 December 2008, Villa came seventh in the [[2008 Ballon d'Or]] rankings<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7758016.stm |title=Ronaldo scoops best player award |work=BBC Sport |date=2 December 2008 |access-date=11 September 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205205050/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7758016.stm |archive-date=5 February 2009}}</ref> and on 12 January 2009, he was announced as the joint ninth-best player of 2008 alongside international teammate [[Andrés Iniesta]] of Barcelona, according to the [[2008 FIFA World Player of the Year]] awards.<ref name="fifaworldplrPDF">{{cite news |title=FIFA World Player of the Year – Women's votes by player |url=http://es.fifa.com/mm/document/classic/awards/99/15/27/resultswomenforfifa.combyplayer.pdf |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=12 January 2009 |access-date=12 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124081549/http://es.fifa.com/mm/document/classic/awards/99/15/27/resultswomenforfifa.combyplayer.pdf |archive-date=24 January 2009}}</ref>

{{Quote box|
 width=25%
|align=left
|quote="David is an amazing player – he has mobility, he scores goals and is brave. I would love to have him in my team at Arsenal. He'd be amazing in the English league."
|source=–Spain team-mate [[Cesc Fàbregas]] on David Villa<ref>{{cite web| title = David Villa Bio, Stats, News – Team Spain – FIFA World Cup – ESPN Soccernet| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/28600/david-villa?cc=5739&ver=global| publisher = ESPN| access-date = 22 June 2010| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100629174411/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/28600/david-villa?cc=5739&ver=global| archive-date = 29 June 2010| df = dmy-all}}</ref>}}
Valencia finished second in their [[2008–09 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]] group, although Villa was not featured heavily and was often an unused or late-match substitute.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/gamelog?id=28600&cc=5739|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714122342/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/gamelog?id=28600&cc=5739|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 July 2012|title=David Villa Game Log|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|access-date=12 September 2009}}</ref> He scored a late winner against [[C.S. Marítimo|Marítimo]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Valencia 2 – 1 Maritimo | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=254922&cc=5739 | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 2 October 2008 | access-date = 12 September 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021222110/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=254922&cc=5739 | archive-date = 21 October 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> and was used in the Round of 32 against [[FC Dynamo Kyiv|Dynamo Kyiv]], though he did not make the score sheet. The two legs finished in a 3–3 aggregate score, with Dynamo progressing through the away goals rule.<ref>{{cite web | title = Kravets downs Los Che | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=259522&cc=5739 | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 26 February 2009 | access-date = 12 September 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090301033444/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=259522&cc=5739 | archive-date = 1 March 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

Hitting a consistent goalscoring form during mid-season, Villa scored against Deportivo La Coruña, although he was sent off during the match after his second [[Penalty card|yellow card]], received due to a foul on [[Daniel Aranzubia]];<ref name="espndepval">{{cite news |title=Deportivo La Coruña 1 – 1 Valencia |url=http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/report?id=252969&league=ESP.1&cc=5739 |publisher=ESPN Soccernet |date=22 February 2009 |access-date=29 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309112949/http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/report?id=252969&league=ESP.1&cc=5739 |archive-date=9 March 2012}}</ref> as a result, he missed Valencia's next match against [[Real Valladolid]], a game Valencia lost 2–1 at home. Ready to return from suspension, Villa suffered from an inflammation in the joint in his left knee due to a partial dislocation and would be ruled out for the next 15 days, missing games against [[CD Numancia|Numancia]], [[Recreativo de Huelva]] and [[Racing de Santander]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Valencia Without David Villa For Two Weeks |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/03/10/1147535/valencia-without-david-villa-for-two-weeks |publisher=goal.com |date=10 March 2009 |access-date=12 September 2009 |author=KS Leong |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006200049/http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/03/10/1147535/valencia-without-david-villa-for-two-weeks |archive-date=6 October 2012}}</ref> When he finally returned from injury on 5 April 2009, he had no trouble recovering form, netting a brace in a match against Getafe which Valencia won 4–1.<ref>{{cite news |title=Valencia 4 – 1 Getafe |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=253075&cc=5739 |publisher=ESPN Soccernet |date=5 April 2009 |access-date=12 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021222126/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=253075&cc=5739 |archive-date=21 October 2012}}</ref> On 12 April, Villa was set to return to [[El Molinón]], the home ground of Sporting de Gijón where he started his career. He admitted that the encounter would be very emotional for him but went on to score the second Valencia goal in a 3–2 win and kept a pre-match promise by [[Goal celebration#Notable non-celebrations|not celebrating the goal]].<ref>{{cite news |title=La Liga Round-Up: Valencia Manage Last-Gasp Win At Sporting |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/04/12/1205423/la-liga-round-up-valencia-manage-last-gasp-win-at-sporting |publisher=goal.com |date=12 April 2009 |access-date=12 September 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415162102/http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/04/12/1205423/la-liga-round-up-valencia-manage-last-gasp-win-at-sporting |archive-date=15 April 2009}}</ref> His goal against [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]] brought his tally to 26, and he then scored another two against Athletic Bilbao, finishing with 28 goals after the last game of the season, thus equalling records set by the [[Argentina|Argentinian]] [[Mario Kempes]] and the [[Montenegrins|Montenegrin]] [[Predrag Mijatović]], who also scored 28 goals in a Valencia shirt in [[1977–78 La Liga|1978]] and [[1995–96 La Liga|1996]], respectively. Kempes reached his tally of 28 goals in 34 games while Mijatović achieved it in 40, ultimately seeing Villa beat their percentages, as he achieved the 28 goals in 33 games, recording a goal ratio of 0.84 goals per game. That season saw Villa's best goal-scoring season at Valencia.<ref name="villalastgame">{{cite web | title = Villa: "No creo que haya sido mi último partido con el Valencia" | url = http://www.marca.com/2009/05/30/futbol/equipos/valencia/1243719296.html | publisher = MARCA.com | date = 30 May 2009 | access-date = 30 May 2009 | language = es | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090611165253/http://www.marca.com/2009/05/30/futbol/equipos/valencia/1243719296.html | archive-date = 11 June 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

With the season over, Villa had marked his fourth year at Valencia, with only Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o scoring more goals than him in that period, with just six more.<ref name="sidvilla" /> British columnist Sid Lowe, however, pointed out that Eto'o achieved this "in a team that racked up 129 [goals] more than Villa's side", and noted that "most of that time he [Villa] has taken Valencia's corners and free-kicks – and however good a player is he can't head in his own crosses".<ref name="sidvilla" /> Villa also ended the season as the third top scorer in La Liga with 28 goals, just behind Eto'o (30) and [[Diego Forlán]] (32). After recording the best goal tally for a Valencia player in 60 years back in the 2005–06 season, he went three better in the 2008–09 season.<ref name="ligatopscorers2009">{{cite web | title = Spanish Primera División – Top Scorers – 2008/2009 – ESPN Soccernet | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/stats/topscorers?league=esp.1&year=2008&cc=5739 | publisher = [[ESPN]] | year = 2009 | access-date = 7 November 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090221053232/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/stats/topscorers?league=esp.1&year=2008&cc=5739 | archive-date = 21 February 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> The 28 league goals, in addition to three more in other competitions that season, accumulated a total of 101 goals in 180 official games with the Valencian outfit.<ref name="sndvstat" />

====2009–10 season====
{{Quote box|
 width=20%
|align=right
|quote="David Villa is a phenomenon – the best in Europe"
|source=–[[Quini]], five-time [[Pichichi Trophy|Pichichi]] winner<ref name="sidvilla" />}}
After the shock exit from the [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup|Confederations Cup]] with [[Spain national football team|Spain]], Villa returned from his holidays on 27 July amidst much media speculation linking him with top clubs such as Real Madrid,<ref name="realvilla">{{cite web | title = David Villa Will Sign For Real Madrid – Chelsea's Chief Spanish Scout | url = http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/06/11/1319063/david-villa-will-sign-for-real-madrid-chelseas-chief-spanish | publisher = goal.com | date = 11 June 2009 | access-date = 29 August 2009 | author = Lucas Brown | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090828105136/http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/06/11/1319063/david-villa-will-sign-for-real-madrid-chelseas-chief-spanish | archive-date = 28 August 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Barcelona,<ref name="barcavilla">{{cite web | title = I Want To Join Barcelona – David Villa | url = http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/07/02/1359244/i-want-to-join-barcelona-david-villa | publisher = goal.com | date = 2 July 2009 | access-date = 29 August 2009 | author = Lucas Brown | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090822022912/http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/07/02/1359244/i-want-to-join-barcelona-david-villa | archive-date = 22 August 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]],<ref name="lfcvilla">{{cite web | title = Liverpool To Tempt David Villa Away From Valencia – Report | url = http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/08/01/1415630/liverpool-to-tempt-david-villa-away-from-valencia-report | publisher = goal.com | date = 1 August 2009 | access-date = 29 August 2009 | author = Jamie Dunn | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090827084243/http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/08/01/1415630/liverpool-to-tempt-david-villa-away-from-valencia-report | archive-date = 27 August 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Chelsea,<ref name="cfcvilla">{{cite web | title = Chelsea Ahead of Real Madrid in David Villa Race – Report | url = http://goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/06/10/1316268/chelsea-ahead-of-real-madrid-in-david-villa-race-report | publisher = goal.com | date = 10 June 2009 | access-date = 3 September 2009 | author = Lucas Brown | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090817205024/http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/06/10/1316268/chelsea-ahead-of-real-madrid-in-david-villa-race-report | archive-date = 17 August 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> and [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]].<ref name="manuvilla">{{cite web | title = Manchester United to swoop for Valencia duo David Silva and David Villa | url = https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/08/05/silva-service-on-the-menu-115875-21572017/ | work = The Mirror | date = 5 August 2009 | access-date = 29 August 2009 | author = David Anderson | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090821183618/http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/08/05/silva-service-on-the-menu-115875-21572017/ | archive-date = 21 August 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Villa quelled such rumours after announcing his desire to remain at the [[Mestalla Stadium|Mestalla]] to fulfil his contract, underlining that he "could not spend all summer refuting things, so I wanted to be quiet... I was told I should leave Valencia for the good of the club, soon after that everything changed and from that moment on I never saw myself out of here – before [[UEFA Euro 2008|the Euros]], the club told me what my asking price was, and I thought they were going to sell me, but when I returned from my vacations, Vicente Soriano said that he did not want me to leave Valencia. That removed all doubt for me. There is no train missed because all that I have achieved is because of Valencia and the Spanish national team." When questioned on whether or not he should apologise to Valencia fans, he simply replied, "I did not kill anyone, I do not think I have to ask for forgiveness."<ref>{{cite web | title = David Villa Explains Media Silence, Happy To Stay at Valencia | url = http://goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/07/28/1408740/david-villa-explains-media-silence-happy-to-stay-at-valencia | publisher = goal.com | date = 28 July 2009 | access-date = 12 September 2009 | author = Luís Mira | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090909073826/http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/07/28/1408740/david-villa-explains-media-silence-happy-to-stay-at-valencia | archive-date = 9 September 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

On 20 August 2009, Villa scored in his first official match of the season, a 3–0 Europa League qualifier against [[Stabæk Fotball|Stabæk]].<ref name="espnvalstae">{{cite web | title = Stabaek 0 – 3 Valencia | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=280999&cc=5739 | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 20 August 2009 | access-date = 29 August 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021222143/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=280999&cc=5739 | archive-date = 21 October 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> He followed this up with two goals against Real Valladolid on 13 September, Villa's first league goals of the [[2009–10 La Liga|2009–10 season]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title = Valencia beats Valladolid 4–2 in Spanish league | url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/09/13/spanish.rdp.ap/index.html | magazine= Sports Illustrated | date = 13 September 2009 | access-date = 14 September 2009}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He scored twice more a week later against former club Sporting Gijón in a 2–2 draw at the Mestalla, where he also performed duties as the team's captain.<ref>{{cite news |title=Valencia 2–2 Sporting Gijon: Los Che Stumble Despite David Villa Double |url=http://goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/09/20/1513275/valencia-2-2-sporting-gijon-los-che-stumble-despite-david |publisher=goal.com |date=20 September 2009 |access-date=22 September 2009 |author=KS Leong |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926170604/http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/09/20/1513275/valencia-2-2-sporting-gijon-los-che-stumble-despite-david |archive-date=26 September 2009}}</ref> After the match, Villa hinted towards being unhappy with Unai Emery's managerial decisions, stating, "The approach for the second half was not right. We relaxed and ended up with the same result as last year. What has happened, has happened, but their [[Juan Pablo Colinas|goalkeeper]] was good, unlike our approach, which was not good,"<ref>{{cite news |title=David Villa Critical of Emery After Valencia Draw Against Sporting Gijon |url=http://goal.com/en/news/722/la-liga/2009/09/20/1513380/david-villa-critical-of-emery-after-valencia-draw-against |publisher=goal.com |date=20 September 2009 |access-date=22 September 2009 |author=Paul Madden |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925020421/http://www.goal.com/en/news/722/la-liga/2009/09/20/1513380/david-villa-critical-of-emery-after-valencia-draw-against |archive-date=25 September 2009}}</ref> however a day later he denied being critical of Emery, pointing out that, "When I talked about the approach, I was referring to the whole team, I spoke in the heat of the moment, I was annoyed at the way we lost two points and I said what I thought, but I have clarified everything that needed to be cleared up."<ref>{{cite news |title=David Villa Denies Criticising Valencia Coach Unai Emery |url=http://goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/09/21/1514735/david-villa-denies-criticising-valencia-coach-unai-emery |publisher=goal.com |date=21 September 2009 |access-date=22 September 2009 |author=Anthony Wright |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925140328/http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/09/21/1514735/david-villa-denies-criticising-valencia-coach-unai-emery |archive-date=25 September 2009}}</ref>

In 2009, Villa scored more goals than any other footballer, tallying 43 goals in 54 games across all competitions for both Spain and Valencia.<ref name="SIvilla" /><ref name="sndvstat">{{cite web| title = David Villa Stats, News – Valencia| url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=28600&cc=5739| publisher = ESPN Soccernet| access-date = 10 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090217221352/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=28600&cc=5739| archive-date = 17 February 2009| df = dmy-all}}</ref> The [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics|IFFHS]] listed him fourth in the "World's Top Goal Scorer 2009" rankings.<ref name="IFFHSscorers">{{cite web| title = IFFHS The World's Top Goal Scorer 2009| url = http://www.iffhs.de/?388d85ff0e003c4f05e91a55685fdcdc3bfcdc0aec70aeedb8af02| publisher = IFFHS| access-date = 9 January 2009| url-status=live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100702152855/http://www.iffhs.de/?388d85ff0e003c4f05e91a55685fdcdc3bfcdc0aec70aeedb8af02| archive-date = 2 July 2010| df = dmy-all}}</ref>

On 18 October, Villa was nominated for the Ballon d'Or,<ref>{{cite news |title=Lionel Messi Leads Ballon d'Or Nominations; Spain & England Dominate |url=http://goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/10/18/1568349/lionel-messi-leads-ballon-dor-nominations-spain-england |publisher=goal.com |date=18 October 2009 |access-date=18 October 2009 |author=Lucas Brown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091019120445/http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/10/18/1568349/lionel-messi-leads-ballon-dor-nominations-spain-england |archive-date=19 October 2009}}</ref> while nearly two weeks later, on 30 October, he was nominated for the FIFA World Player of the Year.<ref>{{cite news |title=23-Man FIFA World Player of the Year Shortlist Announced |url=http://goal.com/en/news/745/fifa/2009/10/30/1593160/23-man-fifa-world-player-of-the-year-shortlist-announced |publisher=goal.com |date=30 October 2009 |access-date=30 October 2009 |author=Alan Dawson & Ewan Macdonald |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091101081144/http://www.goal.com/en/news/745/fifa/2009/10/30/1593160/23-man-fifa-world-player-of-the-year-shortlist-announced |archive-date=1 November 2009}}</ref> After going three league games without scoring, Villa contributed two goals towards Valencia's 4–1 victory against Villarreal on 17 January 2010, the first of his two goals became his 100th league goal with Valencia.<ref name="sndvstat" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Report: Valencia vs Villarreal – Valencia thrash rivals |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=275820&cc=5739&league=ESP.1 |publisher=ESPN |date=17 January 2010 |access-date=18 January 2010 |author=ESPN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126213316/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=275820&league=ESP.1&cc=5739 |archive-date=26 January 2010}}</ref> Another brace came against Getafe on 22 February 2010, the second goal being "a superb chip" (as described by ESPN) over [[Jordi Codina]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Valencia 2 – 1 Getafe – Villa on the double for Valencia |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=275794&cc=5739 |publisher=ESPN |date=22 February 2010 |access-date=22 February 2010 |author=ESPN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021222203/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=275794&cc=5739 |archive-date=21 October 2012}}</ref> On 18 March, Valencia went to the [[Weserstadion]] to play [[SV Werder Bremen|Werder Bremen]] in the Europa League. Villa scored a hat-trick, his third goal being of note, which was fired in from eight yards out. The match ended 4–4 while Valencia proceeded to the next round on away goals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Werder Bremen 4 – 4 Valencia – Villa hat-trick seals progress. |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=289303&cc=5739 |publisher=ESPN |date=18 March 2010 |access-date=18 March 2010 |author=ESPN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323005116/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=289303&cc=5739 |archive-date=23 March 2010}}</ref> On 4 May 2010, Valencia played [[Xerez CD|Xerez]]; Villa did not start but came on as a substitute 62 minutes into the match, which ended 3–1. Valencia still had two more games to play in the league, although Villa did not feature, making the game against Xerez the last time he played for Valencia.<ref name="sndvstat"/>

===Barcelona===

====2010–11 season====
[[File:David Villa Welcome.jpg|thumb|right|Villa during his presentation as a Barcelona player on 21 May 2010]]
On 19 May 2010, Barcelona reached an agreement with Valencia for the acquisition of Villa for a €40&nbsp;million transfer fee.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/destacades/n100519111099.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525133228/http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/destacades/n100519111099.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 May 2012|title=Barca agree Villa move with Valencia|date=19 May 2010|access-date=20 May 2010|work=FC Barcelona official site}}</ref><ref name="bbc-barca-move">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8691888.stm|title=Striker David Villa moves to Barcelona from Valencia|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=19 May 2010|access-date=19 May 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100521012457/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8691888.stm|archive-date=21 May 2010}}</ref> Villa signed a four-year contract with Barça with the option for a fifth, worth a reported €7&nbsp;million per season, thus following in the footsteps of his heroes [[Luis Enrique (footballer)|Luis Enrique]] and Quini, both of whom, like Villa, started out at Sporting Gijón and ended up at Barcelona.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=788682&sec=transfers&cc=5739 |title=Barcelona sign Valencia's David Villa for £34.2m |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=19 May 2010 |access-date=23 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023231956/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=788682&sec=transfers&cc=5739 |archive-date=23 October 2012}}</ref><ref name="villafootsteps">{{cite news|url=http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada09-10/05/21/n100521111138.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120524004803/http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada09-10/05/21/n100521111138.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 May 2012|title=Villa: "I will give everything to the club"|work=Barcelona.cat|date=21 May 2010|access-date=19 June 2010}}</ref> On 21 May 2010, over 35,000 Barcelona supporters packed into Camp Nou to see Villa's presentation, where he revealed the kit Barcelona would use during the [[2010–11 La Liga|2010–11 season]]. He was given his favourite number 7, a number which had been free at the club since [[Eiður Guðjohnsen]] left in [[2008–09 La Liga|2009]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/galeries/futbol/temporada09-10/05/villa_diaris/galeria.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802082012/http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/galeries/futbol/temporada09-10/05/villa_diaris/galeria.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 August 2012 |title=Thousands flock to see Villa |publisher=Fcbarcelona.cat |access-date=23 June 2012 }}</ref>
He made his first appearance for the club in the second leg of the [[2010 Supercopa de España|Supercopa de España]], during the second half as a substitute for fellow Spanish international [[Pedro (footballer, born July 1987)|Pedro]]. His debut appearance would also see him win his first piece of silver-ware with the [[Catalonia]]n side, as Barcelona won 4–0 and 5–3 on [[Aggregate score|aggregate]] due to a hat-trick by teammate [[Lionel Messi]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Barcelona 4–0 Sevilla: Brilliant Blaugrana Outclass the Rojiblancos to Lift the Super Cup | url = http://www.goal.com/en/match/45971/barcelona-vs-sevilla/report | publisher = Goal.cm | date = 21 August 2010 | access-date = 21 August 2009 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100824102140/http://www.goal.com/en/match/45971/barcelona-vs-sevilla/report | archive-date = 24 August 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> His first goal came during the [[Joan Gamper Trophy]] (an annual friendly competition) against [[A.C. Milan|Milan]]; Barcelona won 3–1 on penalties after the match had ended 1–1 during normal time.<ref>{{cite web | title = Barcelona 1–1 Milan (3–1 Pens.): Blaugrana Overcome Italians To Win Gamper Trophy | url = http://www.goal.com/en/match/49200/barcelona-vs-milan/report | publisher = Goal.com | date = 25 August 2010 | access-date = 26 August 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100827060343/http://www.goal.com/en/match/49200/barcelona-vs-milan/report | archive-date = 27 August 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

[[File:Ramos Villa.jpg|thumb|left|Villa challenging [[Sergio Ramos]] for the ball after scoring two goals in Barcelona's 5–0 victory over Real Madrid]]
On 29 August 2010, Villa made his [[2010–11 La Liga|La Liga]] debut with Barcelona against Racing de Santander, where he scored the third goal of the match to help seal a 3–0 victory.<ref>{{cite web | title = Racing 0–3 Barcelona: The Catalan Train Rolls On | url = http://www.goal.com/en/match/48586/racing-vs-barcelona/report | publisher = Goal.com | date = 29 August 2010 | access-date = 29 August 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100831052622/http://www.goal.com/en/match/48586/racing-vs-barcelona/report | archive-date = 31 August 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> On 14 September 2010, he scored on his [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] debut with Barcelona in a 5–1 victory over [[Panathinaikos F.C.|Panathinaikos]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Barcelona 5–1 Panathinaikos: Unstoppable Lionel Messi Fires Blaugrana To Comfortable Home Win | url = http://www.goal.com/en/match/50392/barcelona-vs-panathinaikos/report | publisher = Goal.com | date = 14 September 2010 | access-date = 15 September 2010 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100917193453/http://www.goal.com/en/match/50392/barcelona-vs-panathinaikos/report | archive-date = 17 September 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

Against Sevilla, on 31 October 2010, Barcelona won 5–0 against the [[Andalusia]]n side, while Villa netted a brace. Villa's first ''[[El Clásico]]'' against Real Madrid came on 29 November 2010, where he scored two goals as Barcelona won 5–0 at the Camp Nou.<ref>{{cite web | title = Barcelona 5–0 Real Madrid – Exquisite Barca crush Real | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=301858&league=ESP.1&cc=5739 | publisher = ESPN | date = 29 November 2010 | access-date = 29 November 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121023232001/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=301858&league=ESP.1&cc=5739 | archive-date = 23 October 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Talking about the match, he commented that, "It's been a very important win. We looked for the victory and we got it. And the result and the manner in which we achieved it, you cannot ask for more."<ref>{{cite web | title = Mourinho plays down scale of loss | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=847434&sec=europe&cc=5739 | publisher = ESPN | date = 29 November 2010 | access-date = 29 November 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101202051839/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=847434&sec=europe&cc=5739 | archive-date = 2 December 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> He then scored a goal against [[Real Sociedad]], a match Barcelona won 5–0.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/gen/20101213/54086679821/noticia/barsa-otra-manita-antes-del-derbi.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120905110214/http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/gen/20101213/54086679821/noticia/barsa-otra-manita-antes-del-derbi.html | url-status=dead | archive-date = 5 September 2012 | title = Barça, otra manita antes del derbi | publisher = www.elmundodeportivo.es | date = 12 December 2010 | access-date = 12 December 2010 }}</ref> He followed with a brace against Espanyol, helping Barcelona to a 5–1 win.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.sport.es/default.asp?idpublicacio_PK=44&idioma=CAS&idtipusrecurs_PK=7&idnoticia_PK=733028 | title = Villa firmó la 'manita' y se apuntó su tercer 'doblete' | publisher = www.sport.es | date = 19 December 2010 | access-date = 19 December 2010}}</ref> On 28 May 2011, Villa scored the third goal – curling the ball into the net from 25-yards out – in Barcelona's 3–1 victory over Manchester United in the [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League]] [[2011 UEFA Champions League Final|final]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13576522.stm|title=Barcelona 3 Manchester United 1|date=28 May 2011|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 May 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529112634/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13576522.stm|archive-date=29 May 2011}}</ref>

====2011–12 season====
[[File:Lesión de David Villa en el Mundial de clubes 2011.jpg|thumb|right|Villa's season comes to an end as he is carried off on a stretcher after breaking his tibia at the [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup]].]]
Villa started the season with goals against Mexican clubs [[C.D. Guadalajara|Guadalajara]] and [[Club América|América]] in [[Exhibition game|pre-season friendly matches]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/63455/barcelona-vs-chivas-guadalajara/report|title=Barcelona 1–4 Chivas de Guadalajara: Two wonder-strikes from Marco Fabian humble European champions|date=4 August 2011|work=Goal.com|access-date=8 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914230304/http://www.goal.com/en/match/63455/barcelona-vs-chivas-guadalajara/report|archive-date=14 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/63456/barcelona-vs-america/report|title=Barcelona 2–0 Club America: David Villa & Seydou Keita do the needful in sedate encounter|date=6 August 2011|work=Goal.com|access-date=8 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110915044508/http://www.goal.com/en/match/63456/barcelona-vs-america/report|archive-date=15 September 2011}}</ref> His first official match of the season was against Real Madrid in the first leg of the [[2011 Supercopa de España]], where Villa scored a "world-class" goal to help Barça seal a 2–2 draw at the Santiago Bernabéu,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/65089/real-madrid-vs-barcelona/report|title=Real Madrid 2–2 Barcelona: Hosts dominate in Supercopa stalemate|date=14 August 2011|work=Goal.com|access-date=15 August 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118072500/http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/65089/real-madrid-vs-barcelona/report|archive-date=18 January 2012}}</ref> while on 17 August 2011, Villa was [[sent off]] in the dying moments of the second leg (which Barcelona won 3–2) after an altercation with [[Mesut Özil]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/65090/barcelona-vs-real-madrid/report|title=Barcelona 3–2 Real Madrid (Agg. 5–4): Lionel Messi brace wins Supercopa amid violent scenes at Camp Nou|date=17 August 2011|work=Goal.com|access-date=28 August 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924225033/http://www.goal.com/en/match/65090/barcelona-vs-real-madrid/report|archive-date=24 September 2011}}</ref>
Against [[CA Osasuna|Osasuna]] on 17 September 2011, Villa contributed two goals and forced [[Rovérsio Rodrigues de Barros|Rovérsio]] into scoring an [[own goal]] in Barcelona's 8–0 win over the team from [[Pamplona]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/323996?cc=5739|title=Barcelona 8 – 0 Osasuna – Messi nets three as Barca bounce back|date=17 September 2011|work=ESPN|access-date=17 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925120935/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/323996?cc=5739|archive-date=25 September 2011}}</ref> He then broke his [[tibia]] in a [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup|Club World Cup]] match in [[Yokohama]] against [[Sadd Sports Club|Al Sadd]]. Doctors said he was to be out of action for up to six months,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/12/15/2637845/david-villa-injury-fc-barcelona-news-club-world-cup|title=Barcelona Striker Suffers Leg Break in Club World Cup Match|last=McCauley|first=Kevin|date=15 December 2011|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=15 December 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125090637/http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/12/15/2637845/david-villa-injury-fc-barcelona-news-club-world-cup|archive-date=25 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2011/12/15/futbol/equipos/barcelona/1323948176.html|title=Una fractura de tibia pone en duda el concurso de Villa en la Eurocopa|last=Herrero|first=Gemma|date=15 December 2011|publisher=Marca.com|language=es|access-date=15 December 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107181754/http://www.marca.com/2011/12/15/futbol/equipos/barcelona/1323948176.html|archive-date=7 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/996847/barcelona-hit-by-david-villa-leg-break-blow?cc=5739|title=Barca hit by Villa leg break blow|date=15 December 2011|work=ESPN Soccernet|access-date=15 December 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113052112/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/996847/barcelona-hit-by-david-villa-leg-break-blow?cc=5739|archive-date=13 January 2012}}</ref> but this eventually led to him missing the entire [[2011–12 in Spanish football|2011–12 season]] with both Barcelona and the [[Spain national football team|Spanish football team]] at [[UEFA Euro 2012|Euro 2012]].

====2012–13 season====
After spending eight months without being able to play any football, Villa finally returned from his injury in the 73rd minute of Barcelona's 2–0 win over [[FC Dinamo București|Dinamo Bucharest]] on 11 August 2012. Eight days later, he played his first competitive football match since December 2011 in Barcelona's first [[2012–13 La Liga|La Liga]] game of the season where he received a standing ovation while coming on as a substitute for Pedro. It only took seven minutes before Villa found himself on the score-sheet while sealing a 5–1 victory for his team against Real Sociedad.<ref>[http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/match-archive/2012-2013/league/round-1/fc-barcelona_real-sociedad/report FC Barcelona – Real Sociedad: Dream start (5–1)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730042353/http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/match-archive/2012-2013/league/round-1/fc-barcelona_real-sociedad/report |date=30 July 2013 }}</ref> On 28 November, Villa scored two goals in a 3–1 over [[Deportivo Alavés]], which included his 300th career goal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/season/2012-2013/david-villa-passes-the-300-goal-mark|title=David Villa passes the 300 goal mark|publisher=FC Barcelona|date=28 November 2012|access-date=26 July 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113183958/http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/season/2012-2013/david-villa-passes-the-300-goal-mark|archive-date=13 January 2016}}</ref>

Against [[A.C. Milan]] in the second leg of round of 16 of the [[2012–13 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]], Villa scored the decisive third goal in Barcelona's 4–0 victory, helping his team overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21747026|title=Barcelona 4–0 AC Milan|date=12 March 2013|work=BBC Sport|access-date=4 June 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702095402/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21747026|archive-date=2 July 2013}}</ref> In the next round, Villa assisted Pedro's equalising goal against [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]] which took Barcelona through to the semi-final, where they were eventually knocked out 7–0 on aggregate by [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22086189|title=Barcelona 1–1 Paris SG|date=10 April 2013|work=BBC Sport|access-date=4 June 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501211249/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22086189|archive-date=1 May 2013}}</ref> David Villa ended the season with a large number of his appearances coming from the bench, partly due to the recovery time of his previous injury. Despite this, he was still able to amass 16 goals in 39 appearances while his performances earned him a spot in Spain's [[2013 FIFA Confederations Cup|2013 Confederations Cup]] [[2013 FIFA Confederations Cup squads#Spain|squad]].<ref>[http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/28600/david-villa?cc=5739 David Villa career stats at ESPN] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023072531/http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/28600/david-villa?cc=5739 |date=23 October 2013 }}</ref><ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22752103|title=Confederations Cup: Xabi Alonso out for Spain through injury|date=3 June 2013|work=BBC Sport|access-date=4 June 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614081845/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22752103|archive-date=14 June 2013}}</ref>

===Atlético Madrid===
[[file:David Villa - 01.jpg|thumb|Villa playing for Atlético in 2013]]
On 8 July 2013, Barcelona announced that they had reached an agreement for the transfer of Villa to Atlético Madrid for a cut-price deal of €5.1 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/club-reach-deal-in-principal-to-sell-david-villa-to-atletico-madrid|title=Club reach deal in principal[sic] to sell David Villa to Atletico Madrid|date=8 July 2013|access-date=8 July 2013|publisher=[[FC Barcelona]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130711074435/http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/club-reach-deal-in-principal-to-sell-david-villa-to-atletico-madrid|archive-date=11 July 2013}}</ref> On 21 August 2013, he scored in the [[2013 Supercopa de España]] first leg on his debut for Atlético against his former club Barcelona with a right-footed volley.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/22/neymar-david-villa-barcelona-atletico-madrid|title=Neymar cancels out David Villa as Barcelona held by Atlético Madrid|date=22 August 2013|access-date=27 April 2025|work=[[The Guardian]]|first=Sid|last=Lowe|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117065228/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/22/neymar-david-villa-barcelona-atletico-madrid|archive-date=17 January 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>

Villa scored his first goal of the league season on 1 September, also assisting [[Koke (footballer, born 1992)|Koke]] as Atlético won 2&ndash;1 away at [[Real Sociedad]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Woosley|first1=Zach|title=La Liga 2013: Atletico Madrid holds on against Real Sociedad|url=https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/9/1/4682778/la-liga-2013-final-score-match-report-result|date=2 September 2013|access-date=2 June 2014|publisher=SB Nation|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502001247/http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/9/1/4682778/la-liga-2013-final-score-match-report-result|archive-date=2 May 2014}}</ref> On 27 October, he scored his first Atlético brace as the side defeated [[Real Betis]] 5&ndash;0 at the [[Vicente Calderón Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Villa bags brace in Atletico romp|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/295401/report|access-date=2 June 2014|publisher=[[Sky Sports News]]|date=27 October 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606203348/http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/295401/report|archive-date=6 June 2014}}</ref> He added two further braces during the season: on 23 November in a 7&ndash;0 win over Getafe<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wright|first1=Joe|title=Atletico Madrid 7-0 Getafe: Doubles for Villa and Garcia as Simeone's side run riot|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/atl%C3%A9tico-madrid-vs-getafe/1517777/report|access-date=2 June 2014|publisher=Goal.com|date=23 November 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709144937/http://www.goal.com/en/match/atl%C3%A9tico-madrid-vs-getafe/1517777/report|archive-date=9 July 2014}}</ref> and the other in the space of 90 seconds in a 2&ndash;0 away win against [[Celta de Vigo]] on 8 March 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26481518|title=Villa double sends Atletico top|date=8 March 2014|work=BBC|access-date=8 March 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310022505/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26481518|archive-date=10 March 2014}}</ref> He finished his only season at the club with 13 league goals from 36 appearances, contributing to Atlético's first league title since 1996 and also helping them reach the [[2014 UEFA Champions League Final|2014 Champions League final]], where they lost to [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/17/barcelona-atletico-madrid-la-liga-title-decider-live|title=Atlético Madrid win La Liga after 1-1 draw at Barcelona – as it happened|date=17 May 2014|work=Guardian|access-date=21 May 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521144552/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/17/barcelona-atletico-madrid-la-liga-title-decider-live|archive-date=21 May 2014}}</ref>

===New York City===
On 1 June 2014, Villa announced that he would leave Atlético. While he called the club he was joining "an irresistible project",<ref>{{cite news|title=David Villa to leave Atletico Madrid amid New York City FC reports|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27655905|access-date=2 June 2014|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=1 June 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603114518/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27655905|archive-date=3 June 2014}}</ref> he did not reveal the identity of the club. The following day, he was announced as the first player for the newly formed [[New York City FC|New York City]], who would start playing in the 2015 season of [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS). He was handed the number 7 shirt on arrival, and stated, "I want to try to help MLS continue to grow and try to make New York City become the best team in the league."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nycfc.com/News/Latest%20News/2014/June/David-Villa-signs-for-NYCFC |title=David Villa signs for New York City FC - New York City FC |publisher=Nycfc.com |date=21 March 2013 |access-date=2 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602195638/http://nycfc.com/News/Latest%20News/2014/June/David-Villa-signs-for-NYCFC |archive-date=2 June 2014}}</ref>

====Melbourne City (loan)====
Parallel to his joining New York City, Villa was announced to have joined the Australian [[A-League]] with [[Melbourne City FC|Melbourne City]], following the team's association with [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]. Villa was on a guest stint, allowing him to make up to ten appearances for Melbourne City during the [[2014–15 A-League|2014–15 season]], taking advantage of the scheduling of the A-League and MLS to maintain match fitness ahead of his debut with New York City.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-05/david-villa-to-play-in-a-league-next-season/5502418|title=David Villa to play in A-League next season|work=ABC.net.au|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=5 June 2014|access-date=5 June 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605204448/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-05/david-villa-to-play-in-a-league-next-season/5502418|archive-date=5 June 2014}}</ref> After only joining Melbourne City for pre-season training just over a week before their first game, Villa was brought on in the 48th minute of the first game of the season against [[Sydney FC]], and scored a debut goal a quarter of an hour into his appearance, after a cutback from [[Damien Duff]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/david-villa-scores-on-debut-for-melbourne-city-against-sydney-fc-at-allianz-stadium/story-e6frf4gl-1227087477849 |title=David Villa scores on debut for Melbourne City against Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium |work=foxsports.com.au |publisher=[[Fox Sports Australia]] |date=11 October 2014 |access-date=11 October 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031002146/http://www.foxsports.com.au//football/a-league/david-villa-scores-on-debut-for-melbourne-city-against-sydney-fc-at-allianz-stadium/story-e6frf4gl-1227087477849 |archive-date=31 October 2014}}</ref> On 19 October 2014, in his second match, Villa scored an 87th-minute equaliser against the [[Newcastle Jets FC|Newcastle Jets]] for a 1&ndash;1 draw.<ref>{{Cite news|url =http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-19/david-villa-grabs-late-equaliser-for-melbourne-city-against-new/5825240|title =Striker David Villa scores late goal as Melbourne City draws 1-1 with Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park|newspaper =ABC News|date =19 October 2014|publisher =ABC|url-status=live|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20141019124928/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-19/david-villa-grabs-late-equaliser-for-melbourne-city-against-new/5825240|archive-date =19 October 2014|df =dmy-all}}</ref>

Despite signing for ten matches, Villa was recalled by New York City after just four matches, none of which were won by Melbourne City; the last was a 1–2 home defeat to [[Adelaide United FC|Adelaide United]].<ref>{{cite news|title=David Villa departs without a win as Melbourne City lose to Adelaide|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/31/david-villa-departs-without-win-city-lose-adelaide|access-date=13 November 2014|work=The Guardian|agency=Australian Associated Press|date=31 October 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102174530/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/31/david-villa-departs-without-win-city-lose-adelaide|archive-date=2 November 2014}}</ref> It was estimated that he tripled the club's attendance, and manager [[John van 't Schip]] credited Villa with bringing attention to the club.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lynch|first1=Michael|title=Adios David Villa, it's been short but sweet|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/adios-david-villa-its-been-short-but-sweet-20141030-11ed7q.html|access-date=13 November 2014|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=30 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030174633/http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/adios-david-villa-its-been-short-but-sweet-20141030-11ed7q.html|archive-date=30 October 2014}}</ref>

====Return to New York City====
[[File:David Villa NYCFC vs. Houston Dynamo- 5-30-2015 (18289895465).jpg|thumb|upright|Villa with New York City in May 2015]]
Villa was named New York City's first ever team captain on 1 February 2015, as well as their first [[Designated Player]].<ref>{{cite news|title=New York City FC announce their first captain ahead of 2015 expansion season|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/02/01/new-york-city-fc-announce-their-first-captain-ahead-2015-expansion-season|access-date=15 March 2015|publisher=Major League Soccer|date=1 February 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205034250/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/02/01/new-york-city-fc-announce-their-first-captain-ahead-2015-expansion-season|archive-date=5 February 2015}}</ref> Nine days later, in a friendly against Scottish club [[St Mirren F.C.|St Mirren]], he scored the team's first ever goal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/new-york-city-fc-play-5140660 |title=New York City FC play first ever professional match against SPL side St Mirren |work=Daily Mirror |date=10 February 2015 |access-date=8 March 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316105152/http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/new-york-city-fc-play-5140660 |archive-date=16 March 2015}}</ref> On 8 March, he started in the team's first MLS game, away to fellow newcomers [[Orlando City SC|Orlando City]]. In a 1&ndash;1 draw, he set up [[Mix Diskerud]] for the first goal and was fouled by [[Aurélien Collin]], who was sent off for the challenge.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/09/sports/soccer/new-york-city-fc-and-orlando-city-sc-play-to-a-1-1-draw-in-mls-debut.html|title=M.L.S.’s Newest Clubs Make Ugly Debut, but Sellout Crowd Sees Plenty of Charm|date=8 March 2015|access-date=27 April 2025|work=[[New York Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616155857/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/09/sports/soccer/new-york-city-fc-and-orlando-city-sc-play-to-a-1-1-draw-in-mls-debut.html|archive-date=16 June 2022|location=[[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]|last=Waldstein|first=David|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> A week later, in their first home match at [[Yankee Stadium]], Villa opened the scoring in a 2&ndash;0 win over the [[New England Revolution]] for the team's first competitive victory.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gorst|first1=Paul|title=Result: New York City FC claim historic first win|url=http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/new-york-city-fc/result/result-new-york-city-fc-claim-historic-first-win_211518.html|access-date=15 March 2015|work=Sports Mole|date=15 March 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326040442/http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/new-york-city-fc/result/result-new-york-city-fc-claim-historic-first-win_211518.html|archive-date=26 March 2015}}</ref> On 12 July, Villa netted twice in a 4–4 home draw against [[Toronto FC|Toronto]], despite missing a penalty in the first half.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12096/9911247/new-york-4-4-toronto-sebastian-giovinco-nets-hat-trick-in-classic|title=New York 4-4 Toronto: Sebastian Giovinco nets hat-trick in classic|publisher=Sky Sports|date=13 July 2015|access-date=8 August 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716070052/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12096/9911247/new-york-4-4-toronto-sebastian-giovinco-nets-hat-trick-in-classic|archive-date=16 July 2015}}</ref> He was selected to take part in the [[2015 MLS All-Star Game]] on 29 July, at the [[Dick's Sporting Goods Park]] in [[Commerce City, Colorado]]; he scored the match-winning goal from a [[Kaká]] assist as the MLS All-Stars defeated [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|title=MLS All-Stars 2-1 Tottenham: Kaka and David Villa down Spurs|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/9929022/mls-all-stars-2-1-tottenham-kaka-and-david-villa-down-spurs|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=30 July 2015|date=30 July 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801221552/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/9929022/mls-all-stars-2-1-tottenham-kaka-and-david-villa-down-spurs|archive-date=1 August 2015}}</ref> Despite Villa's prolific performances, which saw him score 18 goals during the [[2015 MLS season|2015 MLS regular season]], New York City did not qualify for the [[MLS Cup Playoffs]] in their inaugural campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/soccer/nycfc-eliminated-playoff-contention-article-1.2392978|title=NYCFC eliminated from playoff contention|work=New York Daily News|date=10 October 2015|access-date=15 October 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151014060027/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/soccer/nycfc-eliminated-playoff-contention-article-1.2392978|archive-date=14 October 2015}}</ref>

In July 2016, Villa was included in the roster for the [[2016 MLS All-Star Game]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-pirlo-and-kaka-headline-mls-all-star-squad-face-arsenal|title=Villa, Pirlo and Kaka headline MLS All-Star squad to face Arsenal|magazine=FourFourTwo|date=17 July 2016|access-date=18 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719141137/http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-pirlo-and-kaka-headline-mls-all-star-squad-face-arsenal|archive-date=19 July 2016}}</ref> Villa won the 2016 [[Landon Donovan MVP Award|MLS MVP Award]] for the best player in the league.<ref name="MVP">{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/06/new-york-city-fc-forward-david-villa-wins-2016-landon-donovan-mls-mvp|title=New York City FC forward David Villa wins 2016 Landon Donovan MLS MVP|website=[[Major League Soccer]]|last=Rodriguez|first=Alicia|date=6 December 2016|access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref> He scored 23 goals in the [[2016 Major League Soccer season]]. Villa was chosen to start against former [[El Clásico|''Clásico'']] rivals [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] in the [[2017 MLS All-Star Game]]. He started on the right of a front three, alongside [[Jozy Altidore]] and [[Sebastian Giovinco]]. The game ended 1–1, Real winning 4–2 in a penalty shoot-out. Later, on 6 August, Villa scored his first MLS [[hat-trick]] in the Blues' 3–2 win over the [[New York Red Bulls]] in [[Yankee Stadium]], taking him to 17 goals for the season and leading the goalscoring charts, surpassing [[Chicago Fire Soccer Club|Chicago Fire]] striker [[Nemanja Nikolić (footballer, born 1987)|Nemanja Nikolić]]. At the end of the regular season, Villa ended up with 22 goals finishing second for top scorer award, two goals shy of Nemanja Nikolić.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/stats?year=2017&form_build_id=form-XOhTwZ_DiBX0lMzMa-LiK3Qz93BRtITrlyzyhcEtLfs&form_id=mp7_stats_hub_build_filter_form|title=MLS stats 2017}}</ref> While New York City lost to Columbus Crew in Eastern Conference semifinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/mls-cup-playoffs/2017/bracket|title=Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs Bracket|access-date=6 March 2018|archive-date=20 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320073346/https://www.mlssoccer.com/mls-cup-playoffs/2017/bracket|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 29 April 2018, Villa scored twice in a 3–1 win over Dallas. The goals were his 400 and 401st for club and country, and in doing so, Villa became one of the few players of the modern era to score more than 400 goals in their career.<ref>{{cite web|title=NYCFC's David Villa scores 400th career goal for club and country|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37549646/nycfc-david-villa-scores-400th-career-goal-san-jose-earthquakes|access-date=2 May 2018|date=29 April 2018|work=ESPN}}</ref>

===Vissel Kobe===
On 1 December 2018, Villa signed a contract for the 2019 season with [[J1 League]] club [[Vissel Kobe]].<ref>[https://www.vissel-kobe.co.jp/news/article/15548.html Vissel Kobe]{{in lang|ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2018/12/28de2ccd37db-soccer-former-spain-striker-david-villa-to-join-vissel-kobe.html|title=Football: Former Spain striker David Villa to join Vissel Kobe|website=Kyodo News|access-date=20 December 2018}}</ref> Villa joined his former [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] and [[Spanish national football team|Spain]] teammate [[Andrés Iniesta]].<ref>{{cite web|title=David Villa signs for Iniesta's Vissel Kobe|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2018/11/30/5c017765ca4741af4b8b45bb.html|access-date=1 December 2018|date=1 December 2018|work=Marca}}</ref> On 2 March, Villa scored his first goal in the [[J1 League]] in a 1–0 win over [[Sagan Tosu]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/jp/%E3%83%8B%E3%83%A5%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9/%E3%83%93%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A3j%E5%88%9D%E3%82%B4%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E3%81%AB%E3%82%82%E5%86%B7%E9%9D%99%E3%81%AB%E3%83%81%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%81%A8%E3%81%97%E3%81%A6%E5%8B%9D%E3%81%A6%E3%81%9F%E3%81%93%E3%81%A8%E3%81%8C%E5%A4%A7%E4%BA%8B%E4%BB%95%E4%BA%8B%E3%81%AF%E5%A4%89%E3%82%8F%E3%82%89%E3%81%AA%E3%81%84/11ke62vt2722s1g8kshqmyijxl |title=ビジャ、J初ゴールにも冷静に…「チームとして勝てたことが大事。仕事は変わらない |date=3 March 2019 |access-date=3 January 2020|publisher=GOAL.COM}}</ref> On 13 November 2019, Villa announced that he would end his 19-year career and retire at the end of the [[2019 J1 League]] season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50401494|title=David Villa: Spain's top scorer to retire at end of J-League season|access-date=13 November 2019|date=13 November 2019|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> On 7 December, he scored his final goal of his career from a penalty on the final matchday of the 2019 [[J1 League]] season, in a 4–1 win over [[Jubilo Iwata]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soccer-king.jp/news/japan/jl/20191207/1006419.html |title=神戸FWビジャがリーグ戦ラストマッチでゴール！ 得点後は家族と喜びを分かち合う |date=7 December 2019 |access-date=3 January 2020|publisher=SOCCER KING}}</ref> On 1 January 2020, Villa played in the [[2019 Emperor's Cup Final]], coming on as a 92nd minute substitute. Vissel Kobe won the match against [[Kashima Antlers]] and he got his first silverware in Japan before retirement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/andres-iniesta-leads-vissel-kobe-21193595 |title=Andres Iniesta leads Vissel Kobe to Emperor's Cup glory as David Villa ends career |date=1 January 2020 |access-date=1 January 2020|publisher=[[Daily Mirror]]}}</ref> Villa scored 13 goals during 28 J1 League matches.

==Post-playing career==
On 13 November 2019, Villa announced that, once he retired, he would be investing as an owner of [[USL Championship]] side [[Queensboro FC]], based in [[Queens]], [[New York City]], [[United States]]. The club would never get off the ground.<ref name="Villa Queensboro">{{cite web |url=https://www.prosoccerusa.com/usl/david-villa-usl-queensboro-fc-nyc-soccer-news-expansion/ |first=Mitchell |last=Northam |title=David Villa-led group to launch New York City-based USL team Queensboro FC |date=13 November 2019 |access-date=6 January 2020 |archive-date=17 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217222210/https://www.prosoccerusa.com/usl/david-villa-usl-queensboro-fc-nyc-soccer-news-expansion/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Território MLS |title=The Rise and Fall of Queensboro FC: Did MLS Nix the USL Franchise to Clear Room for a New Stadium? |url=https://onefootball.com/en/news/the-rise-and-fall-of-queensboro-fc-did-mls-nix-the-usl-franchise-to-clear-room-for-a-new-stadium-39010075#:~:text=The%20departure%20of%20head%20coach,led%20to%20its%20eventual%20demise. |access-date=26 May 2025 |location=Queens, NY |language=English |date=February 7, 2024 |quote=David Villa, the esteemed former professional soccer player who spent time in New York just a few years back, was one of the high-profile owners of the club...Initially scheduled to debut in the USL Championship in 2021, QBFC faced multiple delays, postponing its start date to 2022 and 2023 before ultimately disbanding.}}</ref>

On 6 May 2021, [[Indian Super League]] club [[Odisha FC]] announced him as the head of Global Football Operations as well as member of the technical committee along with former coach [[Josep Gombau]] and Victor Onate ahead of the [[2021–22 Indian Super League]]. Their role includes advising the coaching staff, improving the Indian and youth players, providing general support to the on-field activities among others. After joining the club, Villa said: "I will try to bring my experience. Obviously, I didn't play in India but I played soccer for 20 years as a professional and before that in the academy. And in all of the projects that we (my team) are involved in, I try to give all of my experience that I have in soccer."<ref>{{cite web|title=ISL: David Villa joins Odisha FC as head of Global Football Operations {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/david-villa-odisha-fc-head-of-global-football-operations/1w9owrqcxu43i1npc36d38zvb9|access-date=2021-05-16|website=www.goal.com}}</ref>

On 28 March 2023, David Villa's DV7 Group completed the purchase of [[CF Benidorm]], playing in the [[Divisiones Regionales de Fútbol in the Valencian Community|regional divisions of the Valencian Community]], where he was announced as the vice-president along with his business partner Víctor Oñate.<ref name="Benidorm" /> The team was subsequently promoted to the [[2024–25 Tercera Federación]] season (5th division in Spanish football).

==International career==
===2006 World Cup===
An occasional member of the [[Spain national under-21 football team|Under-21 team]], Villa marked his international début under [[Luis Aragonés]] on 9 February 2005 in a [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification|2006 World Cup qualifier]] where [[Spain national football team|Spain]] beat [[San Marino national football team|San Marino]] 5–0 at the [[Estadio del Mediterráneo]] while his first international goal came in the form of a late equaliser during a World Cup qualifier against [[Slovakia national football team|Slovakia]] on 16 November.<ref>{{cite web | title = Eslovaquia 1–1 España | url = http://futbol.sportec.es/seleccion/ficha_partido.asp?c=16&nj=12&par=EVQESP | publisher = Sportec.es | date = 16 November 2005 | access-date = 13 September 2009 | language = es | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091223160508/http://futbol.sportec.es/seleccion/ficha_partido.asp?c=16&nj=12&par=EVQESP | archive-date = 23 December 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

A successful season with Valencia saw him get called up as part of the 23-man squad to represent Spain at the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]]. Spain's first match at the tournament and Villa's World Cup debut resulted in a 4–0 win against [[Ukraine national football team|Ukraine]] where Villa netted a brace,<ref>{{cite news | title = Spain 4–0 Ukraine | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4852902.stm | work = BBC Sport | date = 14 June 2006 | access-date = 13 September 2009 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170909010914/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4852902.stm | archive-date = 9 September 2017 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> and also put his nation 1–0 up against [[France national football team|France]] in the [[Round of 16]], although Spain went on to lose the match 3–1.<ref>{{cite news | title = Spain 1–3 France | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991524.stm | work = BBC Sport | date = 27 June 2006 | access-date = 13 September 2009 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170909010412/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991524.stm | archive-date = 9 September 2017 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> He and [[Fernando Torres]] finished as Spain's top scorers with three goals each.<ref>{{cite web | title = World Cup 2006 – Match Details | url = https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2006full.html | access-date = 15 September 2009 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091006092149/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/2006full.html#scorers | archive-date = 6 October 2009 | website = [[RSSSF]] | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

===Euro 2008===
{{Quote box|
 width=25%
|align=right
|quote="We complement each other very well. We get on well on the pitch and very well off it too. We're a good partnership. We both chase down defenders, put pressure on and fight to create chances for each other. We work well together."
|source=–David Villa on [[Fernando Torres]].<ref name="442villaPDF" /><ref name="avtsp" /><ref name="Andrew Smith: David Villa lacks the ego of his contemporaries">{{cite news| first = Andrew| last = Smith| title = Andrew Smith: David Villa lacks the ego of his contemporaries| url = http://www.scotsman.com/sport/andrew-smith-david-villa-lacks-the-ego-of-his-contemporaries-1-1366713| newspaper = The Scotsman| location = Edinburgh| date = 6 June 2010| access-date = 19 March 2012| url-status=live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121018111728/http://www.scotsman.com/sport/andrew-smith-david-villa-lacks-the-ego-of-his-contemporaries-1-1366713| archive-date = 18 October 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref>}}

By the end of 2006, Villa had become an integral part of Luis Aragonés' plans and ousted [[Raúl (footballer)|Raúl]] from the team.<ref name="www1.uefa.com"/> Proving vital in Spain's qualification for [[UEFA Euro 2008|Euro 2008]], he scored six goals,<ref name="www1.uefa.com"/> including a [[bicycle kick]] against [[Liechtenstein national football team|Liechtenstein]].<ref>{{cite web |title= Liechtenstein 0–2 Spain: Villa the killer |url= http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=197359&cc=5739 |date= 6 June 2007 |publisher= ESPN Soccernet |access-date= 19 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070819022732/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=197359&cc=5739 |archive-date= 19 August 2007 |df= dmy-all }}</ref> He was subsequently called up for the tournament where he formed a striking relationship with Torres, with whom he would often celebrate his goals.<ref name="avtsp">{{cite web
|title = Absent Villa takes scoring prize | url = https://www.uefa.com/news/01ce-0f84df1275e3-498b91cba6b8-1000--absent-villa-takes-scoring-prize/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206153635/https://www.uefa.com/news/01ce-0f84df1275e3-498b91cba6b8-1000--absent-villa-takes-scoring-prize/ |archive-date=6 February 2023 | publisher = UEFA | date = 29 June 2008 | access-date = 13 September 2009}}</ref> He scored a hat-trick in Spain's 4–1 win over [[Russia national football team|Russia]], making him the first player to do so at a [[UEFA European Football Championship|UEFA European Championship]] since [[Patrick Kluivert]] in [[UEFA Euro 2000|2000]], and only the seventh overall.<ref>{{cite web|title=Villa stars as Spain signal their intent |url=http://www1.uefa.com/tournament/matches/match=300689/index.html |date=10 June 2009 |publisher=UEFA |access-date=19 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221162046/http://www1.uefa.com/tournament/matches/match%3D300689/index.html |archive-date=21 December 2008 }}</ref> After the third goal, he went out of his way to meet Torres, who was on the bench at the time, to celebrate with him: "I had just scored a hat-trick and I knew people would be talking about me, but I wanted them to see that I had benefited from Torres's work, just as he sometimes benefits from mine."<ref name="442villaPDF" /><ref name="avtsp" /> In the next match, he secured a 2–1 win against [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]] with a goal in the 92nd minute. Rested for the next match against [[Greece national football team|Greece]], he started once again in the quarter-finals, where Spain beat [[Italy national football team|Italy]] 4–2 on penalties; Villa took the first penalty and scored.<ref name="bbcspaita">{{cite news
|title = Spain 0–0 Italy (4–2 pens) | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/7468465.stm | work = BBC Sport| date = 22 June 2008 | access-date = 22 June 2008 | first=Phil | last=McNulty}}</ref>

Reaching their first semi-final in 24 years, Spain went on to face Russia for the second time during the tournament, though during the early stages of the match, Villa sustained a thigh injury after taking a free kick and was replaced by [[Cesc Fàbregas]]. The injury meant that he could not participate in the final where Spain beat [[Germany national football team|Germany]] 1–0 to claim their second win at the [[UEFA European Football Championship|European Football Championships]]. Despite missing the final and the majority of the semi-final, Villa's four goals in the four games he played were enough for him to be top scorer of the tournament<ref name="avtsp" /> and was awarded the [[UEFA Euro 2008#Awards|Golden Boot]].<ref name="adidas Golden Boot goes to Villa">{{cite web |title=adidas Golden Boot goes to Villa |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefa/keytopics/kind=64/newsid=747558.html |publisher=UEFA |date=9 September 2008 |access-date=13 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128064715/http://www.uefa.com/uefa/keytopics/kind%3D64/newsid%3D747558.html |archive-date=28 January 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He also made the [[UEFA Euro 2008#Awards|UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament]] alongside striking partner Torres.<ref name="en.euro2008.uefa.com">{{cite web |title=Spain dominate Team of the Tournament |url=http://en.euro2008.uefa.com/news/kind=1/newsid=729372.html#spain+dominate+team+tournament |publisher=UEFA |date=30 June 2008 |access-date=30 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080831080414/http://en.euro2008.uefa.com/news/kind%3D1/newsid%3D729372.html |archive-date=31 August 2008}}</ref>

===2009 Confederations Cup ===
{{Quote box|
 width=25%
|align=left
|quote="I'd have David Villa over [[Kaká]] and [[Cristiano Ronaldo]]"
|source=–[[Vicente del Bosque]], Spain coach.<ref>{{cite web | title = Del Bosque: I'd Have David Villa Over Kaka And Cristiano Ronaldo | url = http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/05/15/1266448/del-bosque-id-have-david-villa-over-kaka-and-cristiano | publisher = goal.com | date = 15 May 2009 | access-date = 13 September 2009 | author = Lucas Brown | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090518200506/http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/05/15/1266448/del-bosque-id-have-david-villa-over-kaka-and-cristiano | archive-date = 18 May 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>}}
Spain's first match during [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 5|qualification for the 2010 World Cup]] was against [[Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team|Bosnia and Herzegovina]] where Villa scored the only goal of the game. He would go on to score four goals in Spain's next three games, including a last minute winner against [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]]. Another goal during a friendly match against [[Chile national football team|Chile]] saw him end the year with 12 goals, breaking Raúl's record of 10 goals held since 1999.<ref name="marca ano natural">{{cite news | title = Villa, mejor goleador de la selección en un año natural | url = http://archivo.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/seleccion/es/desarrollo/1185746.html | newspaper = Marca | date = 20 November 2008 | access-date = 13 September 2009 | language = es | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100721174357/http://archivo.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/seleccion/es/desarrollo/1185746.html | archive-date = 21 July 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Villa began 2009 with a goal against [[England national football team|England]] in a 2–0 friendly,<ref>{{cite web | title = Spain tame Three Lions | url = http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3088761,00.html | publisher = Sky Sports | date = 12 February 2009 | access-date = 13 September 2009 | author = Chris Burton | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090303081828/http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0%2C19764%2C11065_3088761%2C00.html | archive-date = 3 March 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> with this goal, he broke another record and became the first Spanish international to have scored in six consecutive games, seeing off records set by [[Telmo Zarra]] and [[László Kubala]].<ref name="Spain Hotshot David Villa Delighted">{{cite web | title = Spain Hotshot David Villa Delighted With Goal Against England | url = http://www.goal.com/en/news/468/internationals/2009/02/12/1105433/spain-hotshot-david-villa-delighted-with-goal-against-england | publisher = goal.com | date = 12 February 2009 | access-date = 13 September 2009 | author = KS Leong | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090417101852/http://goal.com/en/news/468/internationals/2009/02/12/1105433/spain-hotshot-david-villa-delighted-with-goal-against-england | archive-date = 17 April 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Speaking of the goal, he said, "I am very happy with the goal. Truth is, I really want to see it on TV. The record is very nice. I would never have imagined in years that I would be able to obtain it. I am very proud and I hope I can continue breaking records."<ref name="Spain Hotshot David Villa Delighted" />

[[File:Spanien - Nationalmannschaft 20091118.jpg|thumb|Villa (number 7) with the Spain team before a match against [[Austria national football team|Austria]]]]
On 1 June 2009, [[Vicente del Bosque]] named Villa in his 23-man squad for the [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup]].<ref name="Spain unveils Confederations Cup roster">{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/spain-unveils-confederations-cup-roster-1.805052 |title=Spain unveils Confederations Cup roster |publisher=CBC.ca |date=1 June 2009 |access-date=1 June 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603042021/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2009/06/01/sp-confed-spainroster.html |archive-date=3 June 2009}}</ref> In a friendly match before the tournament, Villa scored his second international hat-trick against [[Azerbaijan national football team|Azerbaijan]], nearly exactly a year after his hat-trick against Russia at Euro 2008.<ref name="azespa">{{cite news |url=http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/report?id=266771&cc=5739 |title=Villa hits treble as Spain warm up in style |publisher=ESPN Soccernet |date=6 June 2009 |access-date=6 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309113003/http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/report?id=266771&cc=5739 |archive-date=9 March 2012}}</ref> He debuted at the Confederations Cup with a goal, the last of the five goals in Spain's 5–0 victory over [[New Zealand national football team|New Zealand]],<ref>{{cite web | title = Spain Stroll Past Hopeless New Zealand | url = http://goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010confederations-cup/2009/06/14/1324722/spain-stroll-past-hopeless-new-zealand | publisher = goal.com | date = 14 June 2009 | access-date = 13 September 2009 | author = Ewan Macdonald | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090817163441/http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010confederations-cup/2009/06/14/1324722/spain-stroll-past-hopeless-new-zealand | archive-date = 17 August 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> while in the next game he scored the decisive goal against a defensive [[Iraq national football team|Iraqi team]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Spain – Iraq | url = https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=101/edition=250115/matches/match=66201/report.html | publisher = UEFA | date = 17 June 2009 | access-date = 13 September 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090620014257/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament%3D101/edition%3D250115/matches/match%3D66201/report.html | archive-date = 20 June 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Against [[South Africa national football team|South Africa]], he missed a penalty, but within a minute made up for the miss by putting Spain ahead, helping them equal the records of most consecutive wins and most consecutive matches undefeated before making way for [[Pablo Hernández (footballer, born 1985)|Pablo Hernández]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Spain – South Africa | url = https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=101/edition=250115/matches/match=66199/report.html | publisher = UEFA | date = 20 June 2009 | access-date = 13 September 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120308185121/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament%3D101/edition%3D250115/matches/match%3D66199/report.html | archive-date = 8 March 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> The goal was his last of the tournament but was enough to see him win the [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup#Awards|2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Bronze Shoe]], he would also go on to make the [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup#Awards|team of the tournament]].<ref name="confed 11">{{cite web| title = Users pick Top 11| url = https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/newsid=1077991.html| publisher = UEFA| date = 30 June 2009| access-date = 13 September 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090703060947/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/newsid=1077991.html| archive-date = 3 July 2009| df = dmy-all}}</ref>

Villa earned his 50th cap during a friendly against [[Macedonia national football team|the Republic of Macedonia]] in a match where Spain won 3–2.<ref name="espnespmac">{{cite web | title = Macedonia 2 – 3 Spain | url = http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/match?id=268038&league=FIFA.FRIENDLY&cc=5739 | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 12 August 2009 | access-date = 12 August 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120309113007/http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/match?id=268038&league=FIFA.FRIENDLY&cc=5739 | archive-date = 9 March 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

===2010 World Cup===
On 5 September 2009, Villa added two more goals to his goal tally for Spain, while assisting twice during the World Cup qualifier against Belgium, in [[Estadio Riazor|A Coruña]]. The match ended 5–0 to Spain, where Villa also had a first-half penalty saved by Belgian goalkeeper [[Jean-François Gillet]].<ref name="espbel">{{cite web | title = Spain 5 – 0 Belgium – Silva, Villa grab doubles as Spain stay clear | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=236508&cc=5739&cc=5739 | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 5 September 2009 | access-date = 6 September 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021222326/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=236508&cc=5739&cc=5739 | archive-date = 21 October 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Villa finished the year with his sixth international brace against [[Austria national football team|Austria]] in the [[Ernst-Happel-Stadion]], the setting where Spain were crowned European champions the previous year. With these two goals, Villa equalled the record he set last year of most goals scored in one calendar year by a Spanish international.<ref name="villacloseraul">{{cite web | title = David Villa está cada día más cerca del récord de Raúl con la selección | url = http://www.marca.com/2009/11/19/futbol/seleccion/1258643029.html | publisher = MARCA.com | date = 18 November 2009 | access-date = 19 November 2009 | language = es | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091121035955/http://www.marca.com/2009/11/19/futbol/seleccion/1258643029.html | archive-date = 21 November 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Spain's first match in 2010 came on 3 March, against France at the [[Stade de France]]; Villa scored the opening goal in a game which Spain went on to win 2–0.<ref name="espfra">{{cite web | title = France 0 – 2 Spain: Villa and Ramos punish Domenech | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=285660&cc=5739 | publisher = ESPN | date = 3 March 2010 | access-date = 3 March 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100306044824/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=285660&cc=5739 | archive-date = 6 March 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

In 2010, Villa came first in the IFFHS "2010's World Top Goalscorer at International Level" rankings,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rfef.es/index.jsp?nodo=39&ID=2220 |title=Villa es nombrado mejor goleador del mundo 2010 |publisher=Rfef.es |access-date=23 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308190158/http://www.rfef.es/index.jsp?nodo=39&ID=2220 |archive-date=8 March 2012}}</ref> he was subsequently selected as a part of Vicente del Bosque's 23-man squad for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]].<ref name="bbcespteam">{{cite news
|title = Spain omit Marcos Senna from 2010 World Cup squad | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8695232.stm | publisher = BBC | date = 20 May 2010 | access-date = 21 May 2010}}</ref> In a friendly against [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia]] on 29 May 2010, Villa scored the first of Spain's goals as they won 3–2 at the [[Tivoli Neu]] – the stadium where he scored his hat-trick against Russia during Euro 2008.<ref name="espsau">{{cite web | title = Spain 3 – 2 Saudi Arabia – Llorente strike spares Spain | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=291035&cc=5739 | publisher = ESPN | date = 29 May 2010 | access-date = 29 May 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100531083942/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=291035&cc=5739 | archive-date = 31 May 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Failing to score in Spain's next match against [[South Korea national football team|South Korea]], he opened the score sheet in Spain's next match against [[Poland national football team|Poland]], in which Spain won 6–0, recording Poland's their worst defeat in 50 years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.polishsoca.com/newswire/national-team/2258-spain-conquer-poland-with-ease-6-0 |title=Spain conquer Poland with ease: 6–0 |publisher=Polishsoca.com |date=8 June 2010 |access-date=23 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303202946/http://www.polishsoca.com/newswire/national-team/2258-spain-conquer-poland-with-ease-6-0 |archive-date=3 March 2012}}</ref>
[[File:Spain and Portugal match at the FIFA World Cup 2010-06-29.jpg|thumb|right|Villa celebrating his goal against [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] along with teammates [[Fernando Llorente]] and [[Andrés Iniesta]]]]
In Spain's first 2010 World Cup match, Villa was chosen as a lone striker, but could do nothing to prevent their shock defeat at the hands of [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]].<ref name="espsui">{{cite web | title = Spain 0 – 1 Switzerland – Fernandes stuns favourites Spain | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264073&cc=5739&ver=global | publisher = ESPN | date = 16 June 2010 | access-date = 19 June 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100619114828/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264073&cc=5739&ver=global | archive-date = 19 June 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Five days later, Spain defeated [[Honduras national football team|Honduras]] 2–0, where Villa scored both goals, but wasted his chance to complete a hat-trick when he was awarded a penalty kick – side-footing the ball just wide of the post.<ref name="esphon">{{cite web | title = Spain 2 – 0 Honduras – Villa at the double | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264075&league=FIFA.WORLD&cc=5739&ver=global | publisher = ESPN | date = 21 June 2010 | access-date = 21 June 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021212540/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264075&league=FIFA.WORLD&cc=5739&ver=global | archive-date = 21 October 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> It was the first time in 14 attempts Spain ever missed a penalty in a World Cup during the run of play.<ref name="esphon" /> In the same game, Villa was shown to slap [[Emilio Izaguirre]] in the face after the Honduran player trod on him. Villa said he was "not proud" of the heat of the moment incident, but he escaped a ban.<ref name="yahoo">{{cite web | title = Villa escapes ban for slap | url = http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/23062010/58/world-cup-2010-villa-escapes-ban-slap.html | publisher = Yahoo | date = 23 June 2010 | access-date = 23 June 2010 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100627080001/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/23062010/58/world-cup-2010-villa-escapes-ban-slap.html | archive-date = 27 June 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Villa helped secure Spain's place in the round of 16 after scoring the first goal in a 2–1 win over Chile, with a long-range shot into an empty net after [[Chile national football team|Chilean]] goalkeeper [[Claudio Bravo]] ran out of his area to prevent Fernando Torres from scoring.<ref name="espchi">{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264078&league=FIFA.WORLD&cc=5739&ver=global|title=Chile 1 – 2 Spain – Iniesta claims top spot for Spain|publisher=ESPN|date=25 June 2010|access-date=25 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021222904/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264078&league=FIFA.WORLD&cc=5739&ver=global|archive-date=21 October 2012}}</ref> The goal would become his sixth goal in FIFA World Cup matches, becoming Spain's all-time top scorer at the World Cup finals, ahead of [[Emilio Butragueño]], [[Fernando Hierro]], Fernando Morientes and Raúl, all of whom have five.<ref name="espchimarca">{{cite news | title = Villa ya es el máximo goleador de España en los Mundiales con seis tantos | url = http://www.marca.com/2010/06/25/futbol/mundial_2010/selecciones/espana/1277493312.html | newspaper = Marca | date = 25 June 2010 | access-date = 25 June 2010 | language = es | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100627120033/http://www.marca.com/2010/06/25/futbol/mundial_2010/selecciones/espana/1277493312.html | archive-date = 27 June 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

Spain were up against [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup knockout stage#Spain vs Portugal|round of 16]], and Villa would prove to be vital once again, as [[Xavi (footballer, born 1980)|Xavi]] backheeled an [[Andrés Iniesta]] pass to the on-rushing Villa, who hit the back of the net on the rebound after having his first shot saved by [[Eduardo Carvalho|Eduardo]], proving enough to give Spain a place in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup knockout stage#Paraguay vs Spain|quarter-finals]] against [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]],<ref name="espport">{{cite web | title = Spain 1 – 0 Portugal – Villa nets winner for Spain | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264114&league=FIFA.WORLD&cc=5739&ver=global | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130103111936/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264114&league=FIFA.WORLD&cc=5739&ver=global | url-status = dead | archive-date = 3 January 2013 | publisher = ESPN | date = 29 June 2010 | access-date = 29 June 2010 }}</ref> where Villa scored a goal from a rebound after Pedro hit the post. Once again, Villa's goal proved to be the difference as the match finished 1–0, while Spain booked a game with [[Germany national football team|Germany]] in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup knockout stage#Germany vs Spain|semi-finals]],<ref name="esppar">{{cite web | title = Paraguay 0 – 1 Spain – Villa saves Spain after penalty drama | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264118&cc=5739&ver=global | publisher = ESPN | date = 3 July 2010 | access-date = 3 July 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100706023637/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264118&cc=5739&ver=global | archive-date = 6 July 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> where Spain recorded yet another 1–0 victory with the only goal coming from [[Carles Puyol]].

Villa started in the final against the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]], where he had an opportunity to score from close range, but was impeded by [[John Heitinga]] who managed to block his shot; during regulation time, he managed five shots, none of which troubled the opposing goalkeeper, however. Villa was replaced by Fernando Torres in the 106th minute and Spain won the championship 1–0 on Iniesta's goal in the 116th minute.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2010/jul/12/spain-netherlands-world-cup-statistics |title=Netherlands v Spain: the World Cup 2010 final in statistics |date=12 July 2010 |access-date=18 May 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_64|title=Netherlands 0–1 Spain|work=BBC Sport|last=Fletcher|first=Paul|date=11 July 2010|access-date=29 May 2014}}</ref> Villa, who scored five of Spain's eight goals in the World Cup Finals, and who was directly involved in a record 75% of the winning team's goals with his goals and an additional assist, was awarded the [[World Cup Golden Boot|Silver Shoe]]; he had the same number of goals as [[Thomas Müller]], the [[World Cup Golden Boot|Gold Shoe]] winner, but fewer assists.<ref name="Spain's 2010 conquerors in numbers">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/spain-s-2010-conquerors-in-numbers-2904843 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180607103350/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/spain-s-2010-conquerors-in-numbers-2904843 |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 June 2018 |title=Spain's 2010 conquerors in numbers |publisher=FIFA.com |date=22 August 2017 |access-date=18 May 2020 }}</ref><ref name="2010 FWC Golden Boot">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/awards/goldenboot/index.html |title=Golden Boot |publisher=FIFA |access-date=9 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317212405/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/awards/goldenboot/index.html |archive-date=17 March 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Golden Ball">{{cite web|url=https://www.topendsports.com/events/worldcupsoccer/golden-ball.htm|title=World Cup Best Players (Golden Ball)|publisher=Topend Sports|access-date=23 June 2018}}</ref> Villa was named in the [[FIFA World Cup All-Star Team]].<ref name="Spaniards dominate Dream Team"/>

===Euro 2012 qualifying and missing out on Euro 2012===
Spain's first match of [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying]] was against [[Liechtenstein national football team|Liechtenstein]] on 3 September 2010, Villa scored the second goal of the match which eventually ended 4–0. It was believed that this goal meant that he had equalled Raúl's record 44-goal tally,<ref name="LIEESP">{{cite web | title = Liechtenstein 0–4 Spain: David Villa Equals Raul's Record 44-Goal Tally As La Furia Roja Dismantle Hosts | url = http://www.goal.com/en/match/50498/liechtenstein-vs-spain/report | publisher = Goal.com | date = 3 September 2010 | access-date = 3 September 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100906092214/http://www.goal.com/en/match/50498/liechtenstein-vs-spain/report | archive-date = 6 September 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> however after many debates about whether he or [[Dariusz Dudka]] scored the first goal in Spain's 6–0 win over Poland, FIFA eventually decided that it was indeed an own goal by Dudka, meaning Villa's goal tally would remain at 43.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spanish-football/2010/09/04/2102631/spains-david-villa-disappointed-not-to-break-rauls-goal|title=Spain's David Villa Disappointed Not To Break Raul's Goal Record But Insists It Will Come - Goal.com|first=Paul|last=Madden|website=www.goal.com|access-date=20 December 2018}}</ref> On 12 October 2010, he finally equalled Raúl's record, scoring a penalty against [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] and helping Spain see off the Scots in a 3–2 victory at [[Hampden Park]].<ref name="SIvilla" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-52150420101012|title=Villa equals Raul record as Spain edge Scotland|date=12 October 2010|publisher=Reuters|access-date=20 December 2018}}</ref>

On 25 March 2011, Villa scored two goals against the [[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic]] in a [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group I|Euro 2012 qualifier]], which ultimately handed Spain a 2–1 victory, while at the same time he managed to eclipse Raúl as Spain's all-time leading goalscorer.<ref name="Villatopscorer">{{cite web | title = Spain 2 – 1 Czech Republic: Villa brace saves Spain | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=299389&cc=5739 | publisher = ESPN | date = 25 March 2011 | access-date = 26 March 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121024134924/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=299389&cc=5739 | archive-date = 24 October 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Speaking of the achievement, he stated that, "The goals are dedicated to all the team-mates, all the coaches, all partners and friends I had during my career... But long ago I promised [[Pepe Reina|José]], who is a friend of mine, that the goal which overtook Raúl would be for him."<ref name="skysportsvilla">{{cite web | title = Villa hails vital Spain win | url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,19692_6835672,00.html | publisher = Sky Sports | date = 25 March 2011 | access-date = 26 March 2011 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111011121721/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,19692_6835672,00.html | archive-date = 11 October 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

On 7 September 2011, Villa helped secure Spain's qualification for [[UEFA Euro 2012]] by scoring two goals in Spain's 6–0 victory over [[Liechtenstein national football team|Liechtenstein]].<ref name="Euro2012Lie60">{{cite web | title = Spain 6 – 0 Liechtenstein – Spain cruise into Euro 2012 finals | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=308535&cc=5739 | publisher = ESPN | date = 7 September 2011 | access-date = 7 September 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121102082429/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=308535&cc=5739 | archive-date = 2 November 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> In Spain's last Euro 2012 qualifying match, Villa scored his 50th international goal against Scotland in a 3–1 victory for Spain.<ref name="Villa50">{{cite web | title = Spain 3–1 Scotland: Silva inspires world champions to 100 per cent record in Group I as visitors are denied play-off place | url = http://www.goal.com/en/match/56801/spain-vs-scotland/report | publisher = goal.com | date = 11 October 2011 | access-date = 11 October 2011 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111012165204/http://www.goal.com/en/match/56801/spain-vs-scotland/report | archive-date = 12 October 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> That same match was also the first time Villa was able to wear the captain's armband while playing for the Spanish national team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/316727_10150317959667026_20714737025_8360142_1506343669_n.jpg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808182213/http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/316727_10150317959667026_20714737025_8360142_1506343669_n.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 August 2012 |title=David Villa wearing the captain's armband – David Villa's official Facebook Page |access-date=23 June 2012 }}</ref>

Villa finished as top scorer of [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group I|Group I]] with seven goals, however, after fracturing his tibia in December 2011, he was left out of [[UEFA Euro 2012 squads#Spain|Spain's final squad]] for [[UEFA Euro 2012|Euro 2012]] after telling Vicente del Bosque that he would not be fit for the tournament. He [[Twitter|tweeted]], "I've tried, but I can't be 100% to play the Eurocup. I called Del Bosque. It's the honest thing." Del Bosque was hoping to include Villa in the squad and promised to give Villa as long as possible to return to fitness.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18169945|title=Spain striker David Villa to miss Euro 2012|date=22 May 2012|work=BBC Sport|access-date=4 June 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828135124/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18169945|archive-date=28 August 2012}}</ref>

===2013 Confederations Cup and 2014 World Cup===
[[File:ConfedCup2013Champions11.jpg|thumb|right|Villa and other Spanish players after losing the [[2013 FIFA Confederations Cup Final|Confederations Cup final]] to [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]]]]
After Spain had won Euro 2012, Villa had returned to fitness and was subsequently called up to the Spain team again. He made his return in the 53rd minute during a friendly against [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia]] and found himself on the score sheet just ten minutes later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/match?id=355029&cc=5739|title=Spain 5 – 0 Saudi Arabia|date=7 September 2012|work=ESPN FC|access-date=4 June 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420203928/http://espnfc.com/match?id=355029&cc=5739|archive-date=20 April 2014}}</ref>

On 3 June 2013, Vicente del Bosque included Villa in his [[2013 FIFA Confederations Cup squads#Spain|23-man squad]] for the [[2013 FIFA Confederations Cup|2013 Confederations Cup]]<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/> where he scored three goals, all of which were against [[Tahiti national football team|Tahiti]] in a 10–0 victory for Spain.<ref name="David Villa 2012/13">{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/28600/david-villa?cc=5739 |title=David Villa 2012/13 |publisher=[[ESPN]] |access-date=12 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102082420/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/28600/david-villa?cc=5739 |archive-date=2 November 2012}}</ref>

Villa was named in Spain's squad for the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27647635|title=World Cup 2014: Spain drop Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=31 May 2014|access-date=31 May 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601200444/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27647635|archive-date=1 June 2014}}</ref> Prior to the World Cup, he confirmed that he would retire from international football after the tournament.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/spains-all-time-top-scorer-david-villa-to-retire-from-national-duty-after-world-cup/|title=Spain's all-time top scorer David Villa to retire from national duty after World Cup|publisher=[[FOX News]]|date=4 June 2014|access-date=24 June 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630060605/http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2014/06/04/spain-all-time-top-scorer-david-villa-to-retire-from-national-duty-after-world/|archive-date=30 June 2014}}</ref> With Spain's elimination already confirmed, Villa was selected to start in Spain's final group match against [[Australia men's national soccer team|Australia]]. He scored his 59th goal for ''La Furia Roja'', and ninth in World Cup finals, in his final international appearance, a 3–0 win on 23 June 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285263|title=Australia 0-3 Spain|date=23 June 2014|access-date=24 June 2014|work=BBC|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140624000134/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285263|archive-date=24 June 2014}}</ref>

In December 2015, Villa revealed that he was considering reversing his international retirement.<ref>{{cite web|title=Villa eyes Spain national team return|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/villa-eyes-spain-national-team-return#:d_HkW9UPIMnG/A|website=FourFourTwo|access-date=3 January 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203084343/http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/villa-eyes-spain-national-team-return#:d_HkW9UPIMnG/A|archive-date=3 February 2016}}</ref>

===2018 World Cup qualifying===
On 25 August 2017, Villa was included in Spain's squad for the [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group G|2018 World Cup qualification]] matches against [[Italy national football team|Italy]] and [[Liechtenstein national football team|Liechtenstein]], three years after originally retiring from international football.<ref name="VillaRecall">{{cite web |last=Murphy |first=Ronan |title=David Villa recalled to Spain squad for World Cup qualifiers |url=http://www.goal.com/en-sa/news/david-villa-recalled-to-spain-squad-for-world-cup-qualifiers/mnkx8nwa72of1i6m577zsgt40 |work=[[Goal.com]] |access-date=25 August 2017}}</ref> Ultimately, his final appearance for his country was against Italy, when he came on as a late substitute for goalscorer [[Isco]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41136945|title=Spain 3–0 Italy|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 September 2017}}</ref> He would miss the match against Liechtenstein after suffering an adductor injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-worldcup-esp-villa-idUKKCN1BF11E|title=Spain striker Villa ruled out of Liechtenstein game due to injury|work=Reuters|date=4 September 2017|access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref>

===Succeeding Raúl as Spain's number 7===
[[File:Adidas David Villa shirt rear.JPG|thumb|160px|left|Villa succeeded [[Raúl (footballer)|Raúl]] as the number 7 for the Spanish national team]]
The Spanish media has often compared Villa with Raúl, to the point where Villa was accused of taking the number 7 jersey away from the then-Real Madrid player. In March 2009, Villa spoke out, saying, "I have not taken anything away from anybody, I was simply playing well for my club and the national coach gave me an opportunity. Too much has been said about the number issue. I'm not looking to cause any controversy. In fact, Raúl and I were in the national squad together in the past. I haven't forced anybody out." When questioned on whether the whole uproar created over Raúl's omission was affecting him personally, he said, "I've never liked it because I think it has been damaging for the both of us. We've always got on well together whenever we've met up for international duty, so I'm not concerned. I just work hard for myself. All I want is to be in the squad for every game, to have the Spain badge on my chest and to score as many goals as I can."<ref name="Spain can still improve">{{cite web | title = Villa: Spain can still improve | url = https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1035258.html#villa+spain+still+improve | publisher = FIFA | date = 9 March 2009 | access-date = 13 September 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090312082319/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1035258.html#villa+spain+still+improve | archive-date = 12 March 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

In February 2010, [[Bernd Schuster]] was asked if Raúl did not favour Villa moving to Real Madrid, to which he responded, "I have a cough," which caused many to believe that he was implying the rumour to be true.<ref name="SchusterVilla">{{cite web | title = Former Real Madrid Coach Bernd Schuster: There Were Players That Did Not Want David Villa | url = http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2010/02/24/1805329/former-real-madrid-coach-bernd-schuster-there-were-players | publisher = Goal.com | date = 24 February 2010 | access-date = 7 March 2010 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100228014913/http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2010/02/24/1805329/former-real-madrid-coach-bernd-schuster-there-were-players | archive-date = 28 February 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Villa firmly ridiculed that idea by saying, "It is impossible that a player with as much class on and off the pitch as Raúl would speak poorly of me. I have always had a good relationship with Raúl, even though we have hardly met on international duty."<ref name="VillaRaul">{{cite web | title = Valencia's David Villa Ridicules Rumours of Raul Rift | url = http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2010/02/25/1806437/valencias-david-villa-ridicules-rumours-of-raul-rift | publisher = Goal.com | date = 25 February 2010 | access-date = 7 March 2010 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100301092846/http://goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2010/02/25/1806437/valencias-david-villa-ridicules-rumours-of-raul-rift | archive-date = 1 March 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tutto Su David Villa "El Guaje" Del Gol|url=http://www.pianetagenoa1893.net/avversarie/tutto-su-david-villa-el-guaje-del-gol-4204|access-date=19 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119190929/http://www.pianetagenoa1893.net/avversarie/tutto-su-david-villa-el-guaje-del-gol-4204|archive-date=19 January 2015}}</ref> Speaking about Raúl's record with the Spanish national team as the nation's [[Spain national football team#Top goalscorers|leading top scorer]], Villa said, "I've got 25 goals but he's got 44 and is still playing. I'd be delighted to reach that tally as I'd help the national team achieve great victories and, in many years' time, I could see my name on a [scorers' list] that another young lad was trying to beat. That would be great."<ref name="Spain can still improve" /> On 25 March 2011, two years after making that remark, Villa surpassed Raúl as Spain's all-time top scorer.<ref name="Villatopscorer" />

==Playing style==
{{Quote box|
 width=20%
|align=right
|quote="Villa is not only there to finish plays. Villa is synonymous with depth. It means always being ready to open passing lanes, to draw defenders and thus freeing space for others."
|source=–[[Johan Cruyff]], three time [[Ballon d'Or]] winner.<ref name="cruyffvilla">{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/2466/goalcom-50/2011/08/08/2608863/goalcom-50-david-villa-22|title=Goal.com 50: David Villa (22)|work=Goal.com|date=8 August 2011|access-date=8 August 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929013608/http://www.goal.com/en/news/2466/goalcom-50/2011/08/08/2608863/goalcom-50-david-villa-22|archive-date=29 September 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>}}
A prolific goalscorer, Villa is regarded by pundits as one of the best [[Forward (association football)|forwards]] of his generation, and one of the best Spanish [[Striker (association football)|strikers]] of all-time.<ref name="theguardian.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/jun/05/david-villa-melbourne-city-guest-signing|title=David Villa could be the start of A-League's one-sided arms race|newspaper=The Guardian|date=5 June 2014|access-date=19 January 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013045907/http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/jun/05/david-villa-melbourne-city-guest-signing|archive-date=13 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="giornaledioggi.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.giornaledioggi.com/villa_acquistato_dall_atletico_madrid-c-2021.html|title=Villa acquistato dall' Atletico Madrid|trans-title=Villa acquired from Atletico Madrid|publisher=Il Giornale di Oggi|language=it|access-date=19 January 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119191212/http://www.giornaledioggi.com/villa_acquistato_dall_atletico_madrid-c-2021.html|archive-date=19 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="Goleadores y... mucho más">{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/diario/2009/06/03/deportes/1243980003_850215.html|title=Goleadores y... mucho más|trans-title=Goalscorers and... much more|newspaper=El País|language=es|date=3 June 2009|access-date=19 January 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119193732/http://elpais.com/diario/2009/06/03/deportes/1243980003_850215.html|archive-date=19 January 2015}}</ref> An opportunistic, versatile and well-rounded player, Villa is naturally right-footed,<ref name="theguardian.com"/> but an accurate and powerful finisher with either foot, due to his ambidexterity, both inside and outside the area,<ref name="dvow1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/jul/02/world-cup-2010-david-villa-spain|title=World Cup 2010: Why David Villa is carrying Spain's hopes on his shoulders|newspaper=The Guardian|date=2 July 2010|access-date=19 January 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119193451/http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/jul/02/world-cup-2010-david-villa-spain|archive-date=19 January 2015}}</ref> despite his lack of height or physicality;<ref name="442villaPDF"/><ref name="Andrew Smith: David Villa lacks the ego of his contemporaries"/> he was also a [[Direct free kick|set piece]] and [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]] specialist.<ref name="442villaPDF"/><ref name="Goleadores y... mucho más"/> Villa was a quick, agile, and mobile team player, with excellent technique and [[Dribbling (association football)|dribbling]] skills, who was also known for his work-rate and intelligent offensive movement, as well as his ability to either create space for teammates or make attacking runs into the area.<ref name="442villaPDF"/><ref name="sidvilla" /><ref name="Andrew Smith: David Villa lacks the ego of his contemporaries"/><ref name="giornaledioggi.com"/><ref name="Goleadores y... mucho más"/> Due to his vision and passing ability, he was also capable of dropping deep to link up play with midfielders, and of creating chances and providing [[Assist (soccer)|assists]] for teammates, which has allowed him to be deployed as a [[Secondary striker|supporting forward]], as an [[attacking midfielder]] or as a [[Forward (association football)#Winger|winger]] throughout his career, in addition to his more common role as a [[centre-forward]].<ref name="442villaPDF"/><ref name="giornaledioggi.com"/><ref name="Goleadores y... mucho más"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstalk.com/The-Scouting-Report--Paco-Alcacer-the-new-David-Villa|title=The Scouting Report - Paco Alcacer, the new David Villa?|website=newstalk.com|author1=Raf Diallo|date=14 July 2013|access-date=19 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216233002/http://www.newstalk.com/The-Scouting-Report--Paco-Alcacer-the-new-David-Villa|archive-date=16 February 2018}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:David Villa2.jpg|thumb|Villa pledging support for official recognition of the [[Asturian language]] in 2009]]
In 2003, Villa married his childhood sweetheart Patricia González, who had also been a footballer in her teenage years.<ref name="dvow1" /> Together they have three children.<ref name="olaya">{{cite web | title = He vuelto a ser papa y eso me hace muy feliz | url = http://www.davidvilla7.com/noticias.php?id=318 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130102162002/http://www.davidvilla7.com/noticias.php?id=318 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2 January 2013 | publisher = David Villa Official Website | date = 19 August 2009 | access-date = 19 August 2009 | language = es }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = David Villa presume en el terreno de juego de sus tres tesoros: Zaida, Olalla y Luca | url = http://www.hola.com/famosos/2013032263967/david-villa-hijas-gijon/ | publisher = hola.com | date = 22 March 2013 | access-date = 4 June 2013 | language = es | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130709002736/http://www.hola.com/famosos/2013032263967/david-villa-hijas-gijon | archive-date = 9 July 2013 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> The names of his children are engraved on his personalised [[Adidas#Association football|Adidas F50]] boots;<ref name="dvow1" /> while one boot bears the [[Flag of Spain|Spanish flag]], the other has the [[flag of Asturias]].<ref>{{cite web| title = Mi museo| url = http://www.davidvilla7.com/contenidos/mimuseo/fotos/IMGP1766_7015.jpg| publisher = David Villa Official Website| access-date = 13 September 2009| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://archive.today/20120309015553/http://www.davidvilla7.com/contenidos/mimuseo/fotos/IMGP1766_7015.jpg| archive-date = 9 March 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref> His footballing idols are fellow Asturians Luis Enrique and Quini, both of whom also played for Sporting de Gijón and Barcelona.<ref name="villafootsteps" />

Villa frequently attends charity events.<ref name="villalonso">{{cite web | title = David Villa y Fernando Alonso juntos en un acto benéfico | url = http://www.davidvilla7.com/obrasocial.php?id=10 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130121163129/http://www.davidvilla7.com/obrasocial.php?id=10 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 21 January 2013 | publisher = David Villa Official Website | date = 25 December 2008 | access-date = 31 August 2009 | language = es }}</ref> He is actively involved with the campaigns of the [[UNICEF]] charity.<ref name="unicef">{{cite web | title = Act of presentation of the Christmas cards of UNICEF (Christmas ´08) | url = http://www.davidvilla7.com/obrasocial.php?id=6 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130102125938/http://www.davidvilla7.com/obrasocial.php?id=6 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2 January 2013 | publisher = David Villa Official Website | date = 12 December 2008 | access-date = 31 August 2009 }}</ref> Beginning in July 2008, a David Villa Camp is held annually, where children receive training from professional footballers. Villa also participates in a training session with the children.<ref>{{cite web| title = El II Campus Oficial David Villa| url = http://www.davidvilla7.com/contenido.php?id=50&PHPSESSID=aa74e41579a47c511a93ab480602713e| publisher = David Villa Official Website| access-date = 13 September 2009| language = es| url-status=live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090422035149/http://www.davidvilla7.com/contenido.php?id=50&PHPSESSID=c868c531f75ab5578cf28c70ac29e693| archive-date = 22 April 2009| df = dmy-all}}</ref>

Villa features in [[EA Sports|EA Sports']] [[FIFA (video game series)|''FIFA'' video game series]]; he was on the cover of the Spanish edition of the video game ''[[FIFA 07]]'',<ref>{{cite web| title = FIFA 07 Portada| url = http://www.mundogamers.com/images/imagenes/noticias/general/fifa-07-portada.jpg| publisher = Mundogamers| access-date = 2 November 2009| language = es| url-status=live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110714133025/http://www.mundogamers.com/images/imagenes/noticias/general/fifa-07-portada.jpg| archive-date = 14 July 2011| df = dmy-all}}</ref> and he also appeared on the cover of the MLS custom edition of ''[[FIFA 16]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/09/22/ea-sports-fifa-16-finally-stores-find-out-who-made-mls-custom-cover|title=EA Sports FIFA 16 is finally in stores! Find out who made the MLS custom cover|publisher=MLS Soccer|date=22 September 2015|access-date=23 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924225249/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/09/22/ea-sports-fifa-16-finally-stores-find-out-who-made-mls-custom-cover|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref>

In 2010, Villa sang alongside [[Grammy Award]]-nominated Spanish singer [[Ana Torroja]] on the song "Insurrection" by [[El Último de la Fila]]. The recording was made for the beneficiary project ''Voces X1FIN'' to help raise money to build an [[Art school|art and education school]] in [[Mali]]. Villa commented that footballers "are an example for society and we have to be ready to get involved in these projects, where we can help people who need it".<ref>{{cite web | title = Fast vs. Fast – messi, villa, zidane, adidas football | url = http://davidvilla7.com/en/news/noticia_404/ | publisher = DavidVilla7.com | date = 18 September 2010 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100920210411/http://www.davidvilla7.com/en/news/noticia_404 | archive-date = 20 September 2010 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

In the summer of 2020, Villa was accused of sexual harassment that took place during his time at New York City FC.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-11-23|title=Former NYC FC intern accuses David Villa of sexual harassment|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/23/david-villa-sexual-harassment-allegations-new-york-city-fc-mls|access-date=2020-12-01|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> A subsequent investigation by the club found that "inappropriate and unacceptable" behavior took place, though Villa was not mentioned by name. Villa maintains the allegations are "totally false".<ref>{{cite web|last=Carlisle|first=Jeff|date=2020-11-06|title=NYCFC reports 'unacceptable' actions after probe|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/new-york-city-fc/story/4227808/nycfc-reports-unacceptable-behavior-after-investigation-into-sexual-harassment-allegations|access-date=2020-12-01|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}</ref>

==Business ventures==
David Villa is the owner of DV7 Group, which has multiple companies including DV7 Soccer and DV7 Management.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dv7group.com/ |title=DV7GROUP |publisher=DV7GROUP |date= |accessdate=2022-08-03}}</ref> DV7 Soccer was founded in 2016 and manages multiple football academies around the world in countries like [[United States]], [[Puerto Rico]], [[Spain]], [[Japan]] and [[Dominican Republic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dv7soccer.com/about/|title = About – DV7}}</ref>

==Career statistics==

===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|Cup<ref group="nb">Includes [[Copa del Rey]], [[Supercopa de España]], [[U.S. Open Cup]], [[MLS Cup Playoffs]], [[Emperor's Cup]] and [[J.League Cup]].</ref>
!colspan="2"|Continental<ref group="nb">Includes [[UEFA Intertoto Cup]], [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]], [[UEFA Champions League]], [[UEFA Super Cup]], [[FIFA Club World Cup]], [[CONCACAF Champions League]] and [[AFC Champions League]].</ref>
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Sporting de Gijón B|Sporting Gijón B]]
| {{nowrap|[[2000–01 Segunda División B|2000–01]]}}
|[[Segunda División B]]
|35||13||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||35||13
|-
|[[2001–02 Segunda División B|2001–02]]
|Segunda División B
|1||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!36!!14!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!36!!14
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Sporting de Gijón|Sporting Gijón]]
|[[2000–01 Segunda División|2000–01]]
|[[Segunda División]]
|1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0
|-
|[[2001–02 Segunda División|2001–02]]
|Segunda División
|40||18||4||2||colspan="2"|—||44||20
|-
|[[2002–03 Segunda División|2002–03]]
|Segunda División
|39||20||1||1||colspan="2"|—||40||21
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!80!!38!!5!!3!!colspan="2"|—!!85!!41
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Real Zaragoza|Zaragoza]]
|[[2003–04 La Liga|2003–04]]
|[[La Liga]]
|38||17||8||4||colspan="2"|—||46||21
|-
|[[2004–05 Real Zaragoza season|2004–05]]
|La Liga
|35||15||3||0||10||3||48||18
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!73!!32!!11!!4!!10!!3!!94!!39
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[Valencia CF|Valencia]]
|[[2005–06 Valencia CF season|2005–06]]
|La Liga
|37||25||4||2||6||1||47||28
|-
|[[2006–07 Valencia CF season|2006–07]]
|La Liga
|36||16||2||0||11||5||49||21
|-
|[[2007–08 Valencia CF season|2007–08]]
|La Liga
|28||18||6||3||7||3||41||24
|-
|[[2008–09 Valencia CF season|2008–09]]
|La Liga
|33||28||5||2||5||1||43||31
|-
|[[2009–10 Valencia CF season|2009–10]]
|La Liga
|32||21||2||0||11||7||45||28
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!166!!108!!19!!5!!40!!17!!225!!130
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
|[[2010–11 FC Barcelona season|2010–11]]
|La Liga
|34||18||6||1||12||4||52||23
|-
|[[2011–12 FC Barcelona season|2011–12]]
|La Liga
|15||5||3||1||6||3||24||9
|-
|[[2012–13 FC Barcelona season|2012–13]]
|La Liga
|28||10||5||5||10||1||43||16
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!77!!33!!14!!7!!28!!8!!119!!48
|-
|[[Atlético Madrid]]
|[[2013–14 Atlético Madrid season|2013–14]]
|La Liga
|36||13||4||2||7||0||47||15
|-
|[[Melbourne City FC|Melbourne City]] (loan)
|[[2014–15 Melbourne City F.C. season|2014–15]]
|[[A-League]]
|4||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||4||2
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[New York City FC]]
|[[2015 New York City FC season|2015]]
|[[Major League Soccer|MLS]]
|30||18||0||0||colspan="2"|—||30||18
|-
|[[2016 New York City FC season|2016]]
|MLS
|33||24||2||0||colspan="2"|—||35||24
|-
|[[2017 New York City FC season|2017]]
|MLS
|31||24||3||0||colspan="2"|—||34||24
|-
|[[2018 New York City FC season|2018]]
|MLS
|23||14||4||1||colspan="2"|—||27||15
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!117!!77!!9!!3!!colspan="2"|—!!126!!80
|-
|[[Vissel Kobe]]
|[[2019 Vissel Kobe season|2019]]
|[[J1 League]]
|28||13||1||0||colspan="2"|—||29||13
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!617!!330!!63!!24!!85!!28!!765!!382
|}

{{reflist|group="nb"}}

===International===
{{Further|List of international goals scored by David Villa}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by year and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|Year
!colspan="2"|Competitive
!colspan="2"|Friendly
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="13"|[[Spain national football team|Spain]]<ref name="RSSSF">{{cite web |last=Mamrud |first=Roberto |title=David Villa - Goals in International Matches |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/dvilla-intlg.html |website=[[RSSSF|Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation]] |date=11 January 2018 |access-date=31 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118075931/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/dvilla-intlg.html |archive-date=18 January 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|2005||4<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification]]</ref>||1||colspan="2"|–||4||1
|-
|2006||7<ref group="lower-alpha">Four appearances and three goals in the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]], three appearances and three goals in the [[UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying]]</ref>||6||7||2||14||8
|-
|2007||8<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying]]</ref>||3||2||0||10||3
|-
|2008||8<ref group="lower-alpha">Four appearances and four goals at [[UEFA Euro 2008]], four appearances and five goals in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]]</ref>||9||5||3||14||12
|-
|2009||8<ref group="lower-alpha">Three appearances and two goals in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]], five appearances and three goals in the [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup]]</ref>||5||5||6||13||11
|-
|2010||10<ref group="lower-alpha">Seven appearances and five goals in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]], three appearances and two goals in the [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying]]</ref>||7||6||2||16||9
|-
|2011||5<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in the [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying]]</ref>||5||7||2||12||7
|-
|2012||1<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearance in the [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification]]</ref>||0||2||2||3||2
|-
|2013||6<ref group="lower-alpha">Three appearances in the [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification]], three appearances and three goals in the [[2013 FIFA Confederations Cup]]</ref>||3||4||0||10||3
|-
|2014||1<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearance in the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]]</ref>||1||1||2||2||3
|-
|2015||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–
|-
|2016||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–
|-
|2017||1<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearance in the [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification]]</ref>||0||colspan="2"|–||1||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total||59||40||39||19||98||59
|}
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==Honours==
<ref name="SW">{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/david-villa-sanchez/338/|title=David Villa|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=4 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904154724/http://us.soccerway.com/players/david-villa-sanchez/338/|archive-date=4 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=David Villa, Club info & Prize List|publisher=Eurosport|url=http://www.eurosport.com/football/david-villa_prs32411/person.shtml|access-date=4 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904154144/http://www.eurosport.com/football/david-villa_prs32411/person.shtml|archive-date=4 September 2017}}</ref>

'''Zaragoza'''
*[[Copa del Rey]]: [[2003–04 Copa del Rey|2003–04]]
*[[Supercopa de España]]: [[2004 Supercopa de España|2004]]

'''Valencia'''
*Copa del Rey: [[2007–08 Copa del Rey|2007–08]]

'''Barcelona'''
*[[La Liga]]: [[2010–11 La Liga|2010–11]], [[2012–13 La Liga|2012–13]]
*Copa del Rey: [[2011–12 Copa del Rey|2011–12]]
*Supercopa de España: [[2010 Supercopa de España|2010]], [[2011 Supercopa de España|2011]]
*[[UEFA Champions League]]: [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League|2010–11]]
*[[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[2011 UEFA Super Cup|2011]]
*[[FIFA Club World Cup]]: [[2011 FIFA Club World Cup|2011]]

'''Atlético Madrid'''
*La Liga: [[2013–14 La Liga|2013–14]]

'''Vissel Kobe'''
*[[Emperor's Cup]]: [[2019 Emperor's Cup|2019]]

'''Spain'''
*[[FIFA World Cup]]: [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]]
*[[UEFA European Football Championship|UEFA European Championship]]: [[UEFA Euro 2008|2008]]

'''Individual'''
*[[FIFPro#FIFA FIFPro Men's World11|FIFA FIFPro World11]]: [[2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or#FIFA/FIFPro World XI|2010]]
*[[UEFA Team of the Year]]: [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2010|2010]]
*[[2010 FIFA World Cup#Awards|2010 FIFA World Cup Silver Shoe]]<ref name="2010 FWC Golden Boot"/>
*[[2010 FIFA World Cup#Awards|2010 FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball]]<ref name="Golden Ball"/>
*[[FIFA World Cup All-Star Team|2010 FIFA World Cup Dream Team]]<ref name="Spaniards dominate Dream Team">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=1274177/index.html|title=Spaniards dominate Dream Team|date=15 July 2010|publisher=fifa.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708201125/http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=1274177/index.html|archive-date=8 July 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=5 September 2014}}</ref>
*[[FIFA World Cup 2010|2010 FIFA World Cup Man of the Match]]: Spain vs [[Honduras national football team|Honduras]]
*[[UEFA Euro 2008#Awards|UEFA Euro 2008 Golden Boot]]<ref name="adidas Golden Boot goes to Villa"/>
*[[UEFA Euro 2008#Awards|UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament]]<ref name="en.euro2008.uefa.com" />
*[[UEFA Euro 2008|UEFA Euro 2008 Man of the Match]]: Spain vs [[Russia national football team|Russia]], Spain vs [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]]
*[[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup#Awards|2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Bronze Shoe]]
*[[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup#Awards|2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Team of the Tournament]].<ref name="confed 11" />
*[[Don Balón Award|Spanish Player of the Year]]: [[2005–06 La Liga|2005–06]]
*[[Zarra Trophy]]: [[2005–06 La Liga|2005–06]], [[2006–07 La Liga|2006–07]], [[2008–09 La Liga|2008–09]], [[2009–10 La Liga|2009–10]]
*[[United States Sports Academy|USSA Male Athlete of the Year]]: 2010
*[[Landon Donovan MVP Award|MLS MVP Award]]: 2016<ref name="MVP"/>
*[[Best MLS Player ESPY Award]]: [[2017 ESPY Awards|2017]]
*[[MLS Best XI]]: [[2016 Major League Soccer season#MLS Best XI|2016]],<ref>{{cite web |title=MLS Best XI revealed: Who was the best at each position in 2016? |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/05/mls-best-xi-revealed-who-was-best-each-position-2016 |date=5 December 2016 |access-date=6 December 2016 |work=[[MLS Soccer]] |archive-date=6 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161206142231/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/05/mls-best-xi-revealed-who-was-best-each-position-2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[2017 Major League Soccer season#MLS Best XI|2017]]<ref name="2017 MLS Best XI">{{cite web |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/11/29/2017-mls-best-xi |title=2017 MLS Best XI revealed: Who was the best in 2017? |work=[[MLS Soccer]] |date=30 November 2017 |access-date=4 December 2017}}</ref>
*[[Major League Soccer All-Star Game|MLS All-Star]]: [[2015 MLS All-Star Game|2015]],<ref name="AT&T MLS All-Star Game roster">{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2015/news/article/2015/07/18/sebastian-giovinco-kei-kamara-among-22-players-named-2015-att-mls-all-star-g|title=Sebastian Giovinco, Kei Kamara among 22 players named to 2015 AT&T MLS All-Star Game roster|date=20 July 2015|publisher=Major League Soccer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921022035/http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2015/news/article/2015/07/18/sebastian-giovinco-kei-kamara-among-22-players-named-2015-att-mls-all-star-g|archive-date=21 September 2015|url-status=live|access-date=26 October 2015}}</ref> [[2016 MLS All-Star Game|2016]], [[2017 MLS All-Star Game|2017]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/bradley-giovinco-represent-tfc-mls-star-game/|title=Bradley, Giovinco to represent TFC at MLS All-Star game - Sportsnet.ca|work=Sportsnet.ca|access-date=21 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711123254/http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/bradley-giovinco-represent-tfc-mls-star-game/|archive-date=11 July 2017|url-status=live|language=en-US}}</ref> [[2018 MLS All-Star Game|2018]]
*[[Ride of Fame]]: September 2015<ref name=":0">{{cite news | url = http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/soccer/frank-lampard-finally-finding-form-scoring-touch-nycfc-article-1.2370579 | title = Frank Lampard finally finding form, scoring touch with NYCFC | newspaper = NYDailyNews.com | date = 22 September 2015 | access-date = 23 September 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150923235523/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/soccer/frank-lampard-finally-finding-form-scoring-touch-nycfc-article-1.2370579 | archive-date = 23 September 2015 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>
* [[New York City FC|NYCFC]] Most Valuable Player: 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nycfc.com/post/2015/10/30/david-villa-named-new-york-city-fcs-most-valuable-player-2015-season|title=David Villa named New York City FC's Most Valuable Player for the 2015 Season.|publisher=New York City FC|date=30 October 2015|access-date=7 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203164908/http://www.nycfc.com/post/2015/10/30/david-villa-named-new-york-city-fcs-most-valuable-player-2015-season|archive-date=3 December 2016}}</ref> 2016,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nycfc.com/post/2016/11/16/villa-named-nycfc-mvp-2016|title=Villa Named NYCFC MVP for 2016|publisher=New York City FC|first=Mark|last=Booth|date=16 November 2016|access-date=7 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128204434/http://www.nycfc.com/post/2016/11/16/villa-named-nycfc-mvp-2016|archive-date=28 November 2016}}</ref> 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nycfc.com/post/2017/11/24/david-villa-most-valuable-player-year-2017|title=David Villa: Most Valuable Player of the Year 2017|publisher=New York City FC|date=24 November 2017|access-date=23 August 2019}}</ref>
* [[New York City FC|NYCFC]] Goal of the Year: 2015
* [[New York City FC|NYCFC]] Offensive Player of the Year: 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nycfc.com/post/2016/11/14/villa-named-offensive-player-year|title=Villa Named Offensive Player of the Year|publisher=New York City FC|first=Mark|last=Booth|date=14 November 2016|access-date=7 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220154040/http://www.nycfc.com/post/2016/11/14/villa-named-offensive-player-year|archive-date=20 December 2016}}</ref>
* [[MLS Player of the Month]]: [[2017 Major League Soccer season#Player of the Month|June 2017]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Boehm |first1=Charles |title=NYCFC's David Villa voted Alcatel MLS Player of the Month for June |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/07/05/nycfcs-david-villa-voted-alcatel-mls-player-month-june |website=[[Major League Soccer]] |access-date=5 June 2018 |date=5 July 2017}}</ref>
*[[Major League Soccer|MLS]] Player of the Week 2015: Week 2, Week 15
*[[New York City FC|NYCFC]] Etihad Airways Player of the Month: July 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nycfc.com/post/2015/08/11/etihad-airways-player-month-july-david-villa|title=Etihad Airways Player of the Month (July): David Villa|date=11 August 2015|publisher=New York City FC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921084713/http://www.nycfc.com/post/2015/08/11/etihad-airways-player-month-july-david-villa|archive-date=21 September 2015|url-status=live|access-date=8 October 2015}}</ref> April 2016,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nycfc.com/post/2016/05/10/etihad-airways-player-month-april-david-villa|title=Etihad Airways Player of the Month (April): David Villa|date=10 May 2016|work=New York City FC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817040051/http://www.nycfc.com/post/2016/05/10/etihad-airways-player-month-april-david-villa|archive-date=17 August 2016|url-status=live|access-date=12 May 2016}}</ref> September 2016,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nycfc.com/post/2016/09/15/etihad-airways-player-month-august|title=Etihad Airways Player of the Month: August: David Villa|date=15 September 2016|publisher=New York City FC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005160056/http://www.nycfc.com/post/2016/09/15/etihad-airways-player-month-august|archive-date=5 October 2016|url-status=live|access-date=4 October 2016}}</ref> November 2017
*[[J1 League]] Goal of the Year: [[2019 J1 League|2019]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/12/08/soccer/j-league/marinos-midfielder-teruhito-nakagawa-named-j-league-mvp-andres-iniesta-joins-marinos-tokyo-players-best-xi|title=Teruhito Nakagawa named J. League MVP, with Iniesta joining Marinos and Tokyo players in Best XI|publisher=The Japan Times|date=7 December 2019|access-date=20 December 2019}}</ref>

'''Achievements'''
*[[Valencia CF|Valencia]] Top Scorer: [[2005–06 La Liga|2005–06]], [[2006–07 La Liga|2006–07]], [[2007–08 La Liga|2007–08]], [[2008–09 La Liga|2008–09]], [[2009–10 La Liga|2009–10]]
*[[La Liga]]'s Top Assisting Player: [[2006–07 La Liga|2006–07]]<ref name="sidvilla" />
*Spain all-time top scorer: [[Spain national football team records and statistics#Top goalscorers|59 goals]]
*Spain's all-time top scorer in [[FIFA World Cup]] matches: 9 goals
*[[New York City FC]] all-time top scorer: [[List of New York City FC records and statistics#Goalscorers|80 goals]]
*Most goals scored in one [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] (by a Spanish international): 5 in [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]]
*Most goals scored in one calendar year (by a Spanish international): 12 (2008, 2009)<ref name="marca ano natural" />
*Largest streak of games having scored (by a Spanish international): 6<ref name="Spain Hotshot David Villa Delighted" />

'''Decorations'''
*[[Prince of Asturias Awards]]: 2010
*[[Royal Order of Sports Merit|Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit]]: 2011<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20111005/futbol/seleccion-espanola/las-campeones-del-mundo-de-futbol-ya-tienen-la-real-orden-del-merito-deportivo_54226408413.html |title=Las campeones del mundo de fútbol ya tienen la Real Orden del Mérito Deportivo |last=Bruña |first=Manel |date=5 October 2011 |access-date=25 July 2013 |newspaper=[[Mundo Deportivo]]}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|David Villa}}
{{portal|Biography|Association football|Spain}}
* {{Official website|url=http://www.davidvilla7.es/en/}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/staff/players/villa/biography |title=FC Barcelona profile (fcbarcelona.com) |access-date=10 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105172607/http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/staff/players/villa/biography |archive-date=5 November 2011 |url-status=bot: unknown}}
* {{BDFutbol|554}}
* [http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j554.html?cat=SEL National team data] at BDFutbol
* {{ESPN FC|28600}}
* [http://www.campusdavidvilla.com/ The David Villa Campus official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517081914/http://campusdavidvilla.com/ |date=17 May 2014 }} {{in lang|es}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/players/player%3D229884/index.html |title=2010 FIFA World Cup profile (fifa.com) |access-date=3 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207071127/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/players/player%3D229884/index.html |archive-date=7 December 2010 |url-status=dead}}
* {{MLS player|david-villa}}
* {{NFT player|9992}}
* {{FIFA player|229884}}
* {{UEFA player|66414}}
* {{J.League player}}

{{Navboxes
|title = Spain squads
| bg = #C60B1E
| fg = #FBEA0E
| bordercolor = #000033
|list1 = 
{{Spain squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Spain squad UEFA Euro 2008}}
{{Spain squad 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Spain squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Spain squad 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Spain squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = Gold
| fg = Navy
| list1 =
{{2010 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament}}
{{UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament}}
{{2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Team of the Tournament}}
{{UEFA European Football Championship top scorers}}
{{2010 UEFA Team of the Year}}
{{La Liga Player of the Year}}
{{ESPY Best MLS Player}}
{{Sporting de Gijón Player of the Season}}
{{Major League Soccer MVP Award}}
{{2016 MLS Best XI}}
{{2017 MLS Best XI}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Villa, David}}
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Langreo]]
[[Category:Spanish men's footballers]]
[[Category:Footballers from Asturias]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Sporting de Gijón B players]]
[[Category:Sporting de Gijón players]]
[[Category:Real Zaragoza players]]
[[Category:Valencia CF players]]
[[Category:FC Barcelona players]]
[[Category:Atlético Madrid footballers]]
[[Category:New York City FC players]]
[[Category:Melbourne City FC players]]
[[Category:Vissel Kobe players]]
[[Category:Segunda División B players]]
[[Category:Segunda División players]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:A-League Men players]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer players]]
[[Category:Designated Players (MLS)]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer All-Stars]]
[[Category:J1 League players]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players]]
[[Category:Spain men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Spain men's international footballers]]
[[Category:2006 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2008 players]]
[[Category:2009 FIFA Confederations Cup players]]
[[Category:2010 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2013 FIFA Confederations Cup players]]
[[Category:2014 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:FIFA World Cup–winning players]]
[[Category:UEFA European Championship–winning players]]
[[Category:Spanish expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in the United States]]
[[Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Australia]]
[[Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Japan]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in Australia]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Japan]]
[[Category:21st-century Spanish sportsmen]]