Del Bosque to give Villa more time

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque will give injured Barcelona striker David Villa “until the last moment” to prove his fitness for this summer’s European Championships.

The 30-year-old Villa underwent surgery last December after fracturing his left shinbone at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, and was expected to be sidelined for around five months.

Speaking in Madrid yesterday morning, Del Bosque said he would give Villa — Spain’s all-time record scorer — every chance to be involved in Euro 2012, where the reigning champions will face Italy, Ireland and Croatia in Group C.