Villa patient about recovery

The Spain international said on Wednesday that he still needs 'to get up to speed'.

"I have been sidelined for many months, almost eight months without playing. I have to be patient because rushing things now wouldn't be good for anyone," he said.

Villa has played limited minutes since returning, only coming on as a substitute when the result is beyond a doubt. He scored a goal in Barcelona's opening Spanish league match and converted a penalty for Spain in its friendly against Saudi Arabia last week.

"On other teams I would already be playing more," said the 30-year-old Villa, who broke his left shin bone in the FIFA Club World Cup in December. "But this is Barcelona and the Spanish team, squads with very strong competition and very well-prepared players."

Barcelona leads the Spanish league after winning its first three games to open up a five-point gap over defending champion Real Madrid.

Villa said Barcelona's visit to Getafe this weekend is "one of those games you circle on the calendar (because) we lost there last year."

Barcelona then plays Spartak Moscow in its UEFA Champions League opener next Wednesday evening (Thursday morning AEST).

Villa could play a larger role in both matches because attacking midfielder Andres Iniesta has been ruled out due to a pulled muscle.