Title Party Postponed; FC Barcelona - 3, Villareal - 3

An injury time goal from has postponed FC Barcelona's League title victory for atleast one week. FC Barcelona needs now only one point from their last three matches to conquer the La Liga. They may not even need that if Real Madrid fails to win their next game. Guardiola has to be dissappointed after being held 3-3 at home against Villareal, especially considering that we led 3-1 before relinquishing our lead. But that dissappointment will be nothing when compared to the injury sustained by Andres Iniesta. The initial reports confirms that Iniesta has tore his muscle and most likely will be missing Champions League final. He will undergo detailed tests today and more information will be available after that. If we have to go by the number of players getting injured in weeks, Guardiola might have to field majority of players from B team in the UEFA Champions League final. Guardiola wanted to grab the league title against Villareal. He send in a strong line-up with Alves, Abidal, Puyol and Pique in defense. Keita, Toure and Xavi in midfield. Iniesta, Messi and Eto upfront.

FC Barcelona started the game really well. Eto and Xavi had decent chances early, but both shot wide. In the 12th minute Abidal passed the ball to Keita who carried the ball forward before shooting from just outside the area; the ball took a deflection off Gonzalo and looped nicely over Villarreal keeper Diego Lopez into the net. In the 22nd minute Toure lost the ball to Ibagaza who played the ball to Rossi. Rossi then sent in a great cross to Llorente who made no mistake with the header. Then in the 25th minute Valdes produced a brilliantb save to deny Rossi after Alves gave away the ball cheaply. Then in the 36th minute Barca restored their lead after good work from Iniesta who passed the ball to Eto who made no mistake with his finish. Then just befor the half time we went 3-1 ahead courtesy of a brilliant free kick from Alves. FC Barcelona controlled the game throughout the second half, but lacked the punch to finish off the game. Barca ghad some decent chances in the second half. Xavi even had the ball in the net but was flagged incorrectly for offside. Then in the 77th minute Abidal conceded a penalty and was awarded a straight red-card after he blocked Rossi. Mati Fernandez made no mistake with the penalty. Guardiola brought in Sylvinho and Busquets for Xavi and Eto. Then in the 92nd minute Llorente broke heart of 95,776 fans with a great strike.

Surely it was a dissappointment that we couldn't win the game at home. But no one will be worried abouth that. But the most important thing to worry is Iniesta's injury. Iniesta has been our best player for some months and losing him for the Champions League final will put serious doubt about our chances. Iniesta, Henry, Abidal and Marquez now will not be available for the mid-week Copa Del Rey final. What is worrying that these injuries came at a time when our best player, Lionel Messi is struggling for form. The defense tonight was a joke and Guardiola has to think how he want to align the defense for Champions league final.

FC Barcelona vs Villareal Preview

With Real Madrid losing to Valencia at Mestalla yesterday, FC Barcelona has their first oppurunity to win the League Title tonight. If Barca manages a victory against Villareal tonight, they will move ten points clear and make sure of their first title of this season. Guardiola would love to see his team round up the available titles as soon as possible. That will give them enough rest after a very hectic schedule. Guardiola has announced his squad for Villareal clash. Only the injutred stars - Henry, Milito and Marquez has been left out of the squad. The squad list is Valdés, Pinto, Jorquera, Alves, Puyol, Cáceres, Víctor Sánchez, Piqué, Sylvinho, Abidal, Touré, Keita, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Gudjohnsen, Hleb, Bojan, Messi and Eto'o. On any other day Guardiola would have preffered to rest his major stars but not tonight. We have a cup final coming in the mid week and hence it becomes more essesntial to enter the final with a victory. But we will be sure to have a peek into the Copa Del Rey starting eleven tonight.

Villareal is looking for to qualify for UEFA Champions League. They are currently trailing fourt placed Valencia by four points with tonight's macth in hand. A victory will take them closer by one point. Hence there won't be any let up by Villareal. Valdes will be again at the goal, eventhough Pinto will be the choice for Copa Del Rey. Alves, Abidal, Pique and Puyol will form the defense. But I expect Guardiola to rest both Toure and Xavi for tonight's match. So we could see a midfield with Iniesta, Keita and Gudjohnsen. The front three will be made up of Hleb, Eto and Bojan. Hleb and Bojan are expected to start against Bilbao mid-week and should get some quality time. I especially would like to see Hleb having a good day. This match could be a tough one for Barca players, but the knowledge that they can wrap the title at home tonight should give them the confidence. I am expecting a 2-1 victory.

Odds Against Thierry Henry

FC Barcelona forward Thierry henry is facing a race against time to get fit for the Champions League Final against Manchester United in Rome. Thierry Henry injured his right knee during the 6-2 thrashing of Real Madrid, he has already missed the semi-final clash against Chelsea. The club website has confirmed that he will be missing Copa Del Rey final and the League matches against Villareal, Mallorca and Osasuna. He is undergoing specific treatment inorder to get ready for the clash against Manchester United. This comes as another blow for Guardiola but the best thing he can hope is a timely recovery for Henry.Now this is already going to put Guardiola in more trouble. He as usual will be compelled to move Iniesta up the park. But I would say that it would be a kind of disaster if we decide to move Iniesta from midfield. So Guardiola has to make a choice between Pedro, Hleb and Bojan for the position on the left. I would prefer Pedro or Bojan.

The good thing for Guardiola is that he got time to experiment with all the formation for the final. But in between he and the players should remember that they haven't won anything yet. We need atleast five points from our last four games to win the La Liga. Ans Copa Del Rey has been one cup which eluded us for so long. Manwhile UEFA has allocated 19,544 for FC Barcelona for the Champions League final. The club has announced that 80% of the tickets will be put on sale. FC Barcelona will be considered as the home team for the final. The final will be held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The Stadio Olimpico matches the Nou Camp exactly in dimension and that will be a huge boost for FC barcelona.