La Liga: Villarreal CF vs FC Barcelona: Q+A with Villarreal USA

Thanks to SBNation’s wide diversity of sports blogs, we are not alone on the network. As you all know, there are the guys over at Managing Madrid for all the Madridistas, and a wide variety of blogs for teams in the English Premier League. However, as a English-speaking La Liga blog, there are fewer opportunities for us to collaborate with other people.

That’s in part why I love Barcelona-Villarreal games. We had the opportunity to ask our friends over at Villarreal USA about their side, and their attitudes heading into Saturday’s match. Admittedly, it isn’t the best time to be a fan of the Yellow Submarine, but these guys do a great job with their regular podcasts and extensive coverage of each and every game of both the senior team, and the B team.

Join us after the jump to find for the short Q+A.

1) Straight to business, do you think Villarreal will avoid relegation this season?

Yes. It may not be pretty but we should survive.

2) Is has been rumoured that you will receive €10 million for Nilmar from Sao Paulo, given the club's problems with money, do you expect this money to be reinvested into the team? If so, is Giovanni Dos Santos the main target?

The money issue is most likely a temporary liquidity issue more than anything else. The team plans to re-invest almost all of it in players. Yes, Gio is the main target.

3) Obviously you guys need to build upon that 3-0 victory over Sporting Gijon from Monday, but what would you settle for before kick-off at El Madrigal? By that I mean would you take a point now, or rather go for the win?

3 points would be absolutely awesome but a point would be just fine. How about a 2-2 draw, Barça's favourite scoreline this season?

4) Given the injury troubles, who are your key players for the weekend's match?

Rossi is the big injury concern but he has been out for several months now. Catala has also been a long-term injury worry and is out, but Joan Oriol has played well in his stead. Our key players are the three goalscorers against Sporting (Marco Ruben, Borja Valero, and Bruno Soriano) plus, if he plays, Marcos Senna. And of course our back line, which has had its problems this year, has got to figure out a way to contain Leo Messi.

A huge thanks to Allen and the guys for lending us their time, and for some more of their coverage, be sure to check out their website. ¡Visca el Barca!