Lionel Messi says David Villa is proving an ideal replacement for Samuel Eto'o at Barcelona.

Messi believes Villa has similar attributes to the Inter Milan striker.

He said: "Villa reminds me of Samuel in terms of his movement, the way he looks for space and always knows where the goal is. He's a really hard worker.

"Both of them put their bodies on the line to snap up every opportunity that comes their way. With every passing game our mutual understanding grows and the way we play means that we have gelled very well."