Sydney FC head coach Graham Arnold was extremely complimentary towards David Villa after seeing the Spanish ace in action on Saturday night.
Former Valencia, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid striker Villa opened his A-League account just 15 minutes into his short-term loan from New York City FC when he side-footed home from the edge of the area in the 63rd minute at Allianz Stadium.
The goal from Villa, who came off the bench 15 minutes earlier, canceled out Corey Gameiro's superb 54th-minute opener to force a 1-1 draw in the Round 1 fixture and after the match, Sky Blues boss Arnold was full of superlatives for Spain's all-time leading scorer.
"Villa is in his prime. It's such a joy to see him on Allianz Stadium and playing," Arnold said at the post-match press conference.
"It was a great finish, a great lesson for all our young kids out there watching a superstar play. From the edge of the box, you don't have to smash it, just place it with your foot and that's what he did."
Villa is on a 10-match loan from MLS expansion franchise New York, who like Melbourne City, are owned by English Premier League giants Manchester City.
The 32-year old 2010 World Cup winner, who scored 59 goals in a successful international career for Spain, will spend the remainder of 2014 with Melbourne City before heading to the USA for the 2015 MLS season with new club NYCFC.
