Childhood and early career:
Villa was born in Tuilla, a small village in Langreo, Asturias, a region in northern Spain, the son of José Manuel Villa, a miner. When Villa was four, his chances of becoming a footballer were put in jeopardy when he suffered a fracture to the femur in his right leg, but made a complete recovery.Due to the injury, he and his father worked on strengthening his left leg and Villa ultimately became ambidextrous.He recalls his father being consistently supportive: "He would be there
throwing me the ball over and over, making me kick it with my left leg
when my right was in plaster after breaking it, I was four. I can barely
remember a single training session when my dad wasn't there. I have
never been alone on a football pitch."
Villa admitted that he came close to giving up football at the age of
14 after growing disillusioned and falling out with his coach. However,
thanks to his parents' encouragement, he persisted in pursuing his
dream, realising his talent could earn him a living.
"In those days I was a nobody, not earning a penny and after being made
to sit on the bench all season I just wanted to get away and play with
my friends" he said. "But my dad always supported me and cheered me up
until my career turned round."[9][13] He went on to begin his footballing career at UP Langreo and when he turned 17 he joined the Mareo football school
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