Villa and Mata riding crest of Valencia's wave

Not many teams would fancy a visit from an FC Barcelona team apparently intent on breaking as many domestic records as possible this season. Yet with David Villa and Juan Mata in scintillating form, contributing ten goals between them in a run of five successive Liga wins, Valencia CF are undaunted as they eye a seat at Europe's top table next season.

European goal
Unai Emery's side defeated third-placed Sevilla FC last Sunday 3-1 with both Villa and Mata – who became the first player this term to combine ten goals with ten assists – on target. They then beat Real Betis Balompié in midweek, Villa scoring twice again, his 113th and 114th goals in 201 Liga appearances, and are now just two points behind Sevilla in fourth. In a season where they have gone through many ups and downs, on and off the field, Valencia's sights are now set on achieving a return to the UEFA Champions League, a stage Villa admits he doesn't enjoy viewing from afar. "The Champions League is the biggest competition that exists at club level and you feel envious seeing others competing in it," he said. "We are trying to do our best so that next season we won't be watching on television."

Prolific season
Even by his own high standards, Villa is having a prolific season. The 27-year-old has struck 35 times in all competitions for club and country this term and is two behind Samuel Eto'o in the race for the Pichichi trophy as the Liga's scorer's title. The two will face off on Saturday at the Mestalla with Barcelona having won their last seven league games, though Villa's hopes of adding to his tally have been hit after two key midfielders, David Albelda and Joaquín, were ruled out with ankle injuries picked up against Betis.

Able assistant
Mata, meanwhile, continues to draw the superlatives in the Spanish sporting press for his goalscoring and assist records. The Burgos-born attacking midfielder is repaying the faith shown in him by coach Emery who has played Mata in every league game this season. "I'm enjoying the best goalscoring form of my career," he said. "On a personal level you have highs and lows in a season. I've had some problems physically this term but fortunately they haven't prevented me from playing." In a season of rapid personal development which has seen him make his maiden appearance for Spain, Mata is thrilled to see his club side once again chasing their pre-campaign target. "Although we were quite a bit away from the Champions League qualifying places we knew that if we could win two or three games we'd put ourselves right back into the fight, and that's exactly how it's turned out."