MADRID - Barcelona's Spanish World Cup star David Villa said on Monday he was looking forward to what will be an emotional return to old club Valencia on Wednesday.

League leader Barcelona will be aiming to maintain its seven-point lead at the Spanish first division summit when it visits Valencia, which is third in the table but a massive 17 points adrift of Barca.

Villa, 29, spent five goal-packed seasons with Valencia before joining Barcelona for 40 million euros ($55 million) and has scored 16 league goals in a fine debut season, netting in each of his past four matches in all competitions.

"The game against Valencia will be one of the hardest in the league, but it'll be great for me to go back there after all the great times I had there," said Villa.

Barcelona extended its lead over rival Real Madrid back to seven points over the weekend but Valencia is unbeaten in its past 11 league games and has proved a difficult opponent for Barca in recent seasons.

Barcelona will be without captain Carles Puyol and goalkeeper Victor Valdes due to knee injuries, but Brazilian rightback Dani Alves will return from suspension and playmaker Xavi Hernandez is in contention as he recovers from a calf injury.

Valencia, a 2-1 winner at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, is more concerned about staying in front of Villarreal ,which is four points behind in fourth.

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 03/02/2011 page22)