Ozil and Villa surprise omissions

GERMANY playmaker Mesut Ozil and Spain striker David Villa are the surprise omissions from Opta’s team of the World Cup so far.

Ozil has emerged as one of the stars of the tournament while Villa’s goals have kept the European champions in the hunt for World Cup glory.

Neither, however, have done enough to be included in Opta’s team of the tournament thus far.

Argentina have the most with Gabriel Heinze at left back and Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain up front. Spain are represented by defender Gerald Pique and midfielder Xavi, Portugal are represented by goalkeeper Eduardo and Tiago while Brazil have just one inclusion, right back Maicon.

Paraguay defender Antolin Alcaraz, German star Thomas Mueller and Uruguay hitman Luis Suarez make up Opta’s first team.

Opta’s team of the World Cup so far (4-2-4): Eduardo (Portugal, Maicon (Brazil), Pique (Spain), Alcaraz (Paraguay), Heinze (Argentina), Xavi (Spain), Tiago (Portugal), Muller (Germany), Suarez (Uruguay), Messi (Argentina), Higuain (Argentina).