David Villa double helps Barca rout Cordoba in King's Cup

Barcelona's David Villa proved he still has a sharp eye for goal by scoring twice as the holders cruised into the King's Cup quarter-finals by beating second division Cordoba 5-0 at the Nou Camp on Thursday.

The Spain striker, his country's leading all-time scorer, has had to be content with a secondary role this season, but has continued to score when called upon and took his tally to five in four Cup games.

The 31-year-old netted twice in five first-half minutes to ease Barca's passage into the last eight, while a double from Alexis Sanchez after the break to add to the early opener from Thiago Alcantara gave the hosts a 7-0 aggregate victory.

"Villa has played a great game. He has showed us what we all already knew, that he should be an important player for us," Barca assistant coach Jordi Roura told a news conference as he stood in for the absent Tito Vilanova.

"He will return to be more important for us, without any doubt."

Barca set up a meeting with Champions League last-16 side Malaga in the next round, and could meet Real Madrid in the semi-finals, if Jose Mourinho's side overcome Valencia.

On the other side of the draw, Atletico Madrid also made the quarters with a drab 0-0 draw at near neighbours Getafe after a 3-0 first-leg win.

Their task was made easier by a red card for Getafe defender Rafa Lopez after 33 minutes and they will next meet Real Betis after the Andalusians scraped through 2-1 on aggregate against second division Las Palmas thanks to a late winner.

MESSI BENCHED

Betis had to work hard for their victory, having drawn 1-1 in the Canary Islands, and had to wait until five minutes from time before Ruben Castro pounced on an error to fire the only goal of the second leg.

... contd.

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