Euro 2012 - Group C - Bet Now at Bet365
Spain's hopes of retaining their European Championship crown have been hit by the news that all-time leading scorer David Villa will miss the tournament due to a leg injury.
Barcelona frontman Villa, who has scored 51 goals in 83 appearances for his country, has not played since the turn of the year and has failed to recover in time to join up with Vicente Del Bosque's squad.
A statement on the Spanish Football Federation's official website read: "David Villa cannot definitely be on the list for Euro 2012.
"After not getting in the final practice and development desired, David Villa spoke with Del Bosque, who relayed that although it was Villa's wish to be with the team in Poland and Ukraine, that his physical state was 'not as good' as would be desirable."
The 30-year-old was the top scorer with four goals when Spain won the title at Euro 2008 and two years later he netted five times as his country were crowned world champions for the first time in their history.
Villa's absence leaves Spain 3.75 to win Euro 2012 and 5.50 to reach the final, while Athletic Bilbao forntman Fernado Llorente is 15.00 to be the tournament's leading goalscorer.
Del Bosque's other strike options include Chelsea's Fernando Torres, Sevilla's Alvaro Negredo and Roberto Soldado of Valencia.
View all Football betting at Bet365
