Villa back with a bang

Barcelona's back-up keeper Jose Pinto feels David Villa is back to full fitness after comparing the power of his shots to a canon ball.

The Spain international striker broke his leg in December last year during the Fifa Club World Cup, and missed the rest of the season and the European Championships. Spain still won Euro 2012 but Barca were unable to defend their La Liga crown and finished in second place behind fierce rivals Real Madrid. They are desperate to set the record straight in the upcoming season and having Villa back on board will give the club a massive lift. And Pinto feels the hit-man is ready to go after posting a picture on Twitter of a bruise he suffered to his arm while trying to save a Villa shot and likening his fierce drive to a 'canon'. Barcelona kick off their pre-season campaign on July 24 against German side Hamburg.