Spain

Villa absence confirmed, Fabregas favourite to start

20:32 BST, Sat 28 Jun 2008
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Spain's Cesc Fabregas (C) kisses injured team mate David Villa as he comes on as a substitute during their Euro 2008 semi-final soccer match against Russia at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, June 26, 2008.     REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader (AUSTRIA)      MOBILE OUT. EDITORIAL USE ONLY

By Simon Baskett

VIENNA, June 28 (Reuters) - Spain coach Luis Aragones confirmed on Saturday that injured striker David Villa would not play against Germany in Sunday's Euro 2008 final.

"Villa is out," Aragones told a news conference after Spain trained at the Ernst Happel stadium.

The 69-year-old hinted he would bring Cesc Fabregas into the midfield, although he did not rule out playing Daniel Guiza alongside Fernando Torres up front.

"We might have less attacking punch, but we will have more control in the midfield," he said. "I haven't decided anything yet though and I might still opt to play two strikers."

Villa, the top scorer at the tournament with four goals, strained a muscle in his right thigh late in the first half of the 3-0 win over Russia in the semi-final on Thursday.

He was replaced by Fabregas and the 21-year-old midfielder set up two of Spain's three goals in the second half.

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