Valencia ace David Villa has backed down from his criticism of coach Unai Emery's tactics for their draw with Sporting Gijon.

After a face-to-face meeting with Emery at training yesterday, Villa later told waiting reporters: "I apologise if what I said bothered people.

"It was a time when it was hot and, like everyone, I was very p***ed off with how we lost two points. I said what I thought and I have clarified it with the coach.

"I want to make clear that these words were addressed to the collective and not any one individual."