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Top-scorer Villa out of Euro 2008 final

27/06/2008

Spain striker and tournament top-scorer David Villa has been ruled out of the Euro 2008 final against Germany on Sunday because of a thigh injury.

The 26-year-old was forced off during the first half of Spain's 3-0 semi-final victory over Russia last night, looking downcast and at times close to tears.

And overnight the player's worst fears were realised after scans on his injury revealed he would be able to play no part in the showpiece event in Vienna.

"Villa will miss the final," Spain coach Luis Aragones said.

"It's not serious but he'll miss the final because he has a pull."

The injury could mean Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas - who has been a perennial substitute at Euro 2008 and came on when Villa was taken off - could be handed his first start of the tournament in the final.

The Gunners youngster has shown glimpses of the talent that fans at the Emirates Stadium have become used to in recent years and proved he is equally as capable of bossing games from midfield in internationals as he is in English domestic football.