Valencia remain top of La Liga after the 5th Jornada after beating Deportivo 4 v 2 in a quality game.

Deportivo took the lead after a silly defensive own goal by Moretti (11), but it wasn't long before Mata equalised after 34 minutes after a cross from Joaquin.

In the second half Villa made it two on 49 minutes thanks to a pass from Mata, and then Joaquin made it three after a lovely move from both Mata and Villa yet again. The fourth came on 81 mnutes; an easy tap in for Villa after Mata knocked it across the area.

Deportivo managed a consolation goal on 84 mins by Lafita, but only because the Valencia defense stopped because they thought it was offside, but it wasn't.

The awesome threesome Villa, Mata and Joaquin took control of the game up front and made some real difficulties for the shaky Deportivo defense.

That leaves Villa with the Pichichi -the honor of top goal scorer in La Liga. 

Villa's hopes of winning the league with Valencia are looking more and more likely every week; if they carry on crushing their opponents then Barca and Real Madrid will need to step it up a level if they're going to stop them. Bring it on, I love a bit of a challenge. What do you think? Is it time for a new Liga champion?

Valencia are proving to become a real threat to top of the pile this season, and with Deportivo's poor recent performances can we expect them to make a dent on Valencia's form?

Valencia are solid.

Even though Valencia have been without Eurocup wonder boy Silva they've been pretty strong, today we should see the return of left winger Vincente but German keeper Hildebrand is still not ready to start.

Valencia coach Unai Emery seems confident that he can get the fans behind him this year 'This objective is to create some chemistry with the public, play strong in Mestalla (the stadium) and get the fans behind us. We need to show strength and willpower. This is an important game to reassure ourselves and we should be extra motivated for the public and obtain their support to continue being top of the league,' he said boldly. So he wants to get the fans behind him? Are you a Valencia fan? What do you feel about your team's recent performances? Aren't the fans already proud of Los Che?

If Deportivo are to stand a chance then surely they'll have to keep David Villa under their belts. Villa has scored 62 goals in 105 games with Valencia (0.59 a game), and teh other day he demonstrated his ambition by saying he wants to win the league.

Deportivo Dreaming

But Deportivos goalkeeper Aranzubia knows what his team is up against 'Villa is one of the best strikers in La Liga, if not the best, and even though you have to be weary of any striker, with Villa you have to be extra careful.' You can say that again mate.

Meanwhile coach Miguel Ángel Lotina wants his team to push forward and get some goals, they haven't netted a ball in four games. He commented on the way Johan Cruyff used to think but knows that maybe with his side it's not that realistic. 'Every time we get the ball we need to finish near the goal or with at least a shot, like Cruyff said, and like this they can't counter attack. This is impossible, but it we need to push forward and get some shots and hopefully a goal.' The man is a genius.

Deportivo will be without the suspended De Guzman today but Valeron should be back after resting midweek. But who's going to break the scoring duck? Is it time for Riki to start scoring?

What's gonna happen?

I think that the only team who'll be playing the 'Cruyff way' will be Valencia, Villa is on great for and if he can get some assists from Joaquin and Vincente then they'll be no problem going back to top of the league.

Valencia 3 v Deportivo 1.

I'm obviusly not talking about the recent form of Atletico, they've started the year with more passion and strentgh than any other year, but no they start their run of Sevilla, Barca, Real Madrid and Villarreal and will be without a few of their key players.

Atleticos Options 

Sergio Aguero is fit, but Javier Aguirre, Manager of Atletico, has admitted he isn't 100% and could do with a rest, 'He's going to go out for the 90 minutes, but if there's a chance to give him a rest and change him then we will it all depends on how the game goes.' They'll definitely need to keep him fit because at the moment Atletico are without Heitinga, Simao, Forlán y Maniche. The question is do they have the squad expansive enough to get through these difficult moments?

Sevillas Options 

Sevilla, on the other hand, are without a few players but the key ones reamain intact, they'll be without Renato, Acosta, Escudé y Mosquera, but this shouldn't be a huge problem, they've still got Capel, Kanoute, Fabiano, and also new boy Chevaton who has made a decent impact so far.

Manolo Jimenez, manager for Sevilla, knows he's up against a grand team tonight in Madrid 'For me Atletico can challenge for all competitions, this is a game to get stuck in. We've got the capacity to harm them in their stadium and we need to demonstrate that we can fight as hard as them.'

When Juan de Ramos left Sevilla in the lurch last year and in stepped the 'B' team manager Jimenez, no one gave him the time of day and had written him off before he'd even stepped into the changing rooms. But I've got to say that he's got some cojones (balls); it's taken him a while to turn the team round but he's done it and shows his determination 'For this we always want to win, we weren't happy with a draw at Betis or Racing we want to win everything,' he said demonstrating a similar passion to their Director Del Nido. 

What's going to happen? 

Even though Atletico are at home I think they might come unstuck without their key players, it will be a close game but I think Sevilla might edge it by one goal or it will be a draw.

1 V 1 OR 2 V 1 to Sevilla.

Atletico's President, Enrique Cerezo, has hit back at rumors than Manchester City and Chelsea are after their top striker, Sergio Aguero, or Kun, by saying that 'Aguero wants to play for Atletico and live in Madrid.'

It's early days yet but when these rumors start they normally finish somewhere, weather (excuse the pun) there is sun or not, at the end of the day it’s football not a holiday destination, and besides with the money that the 'Arabs' have got then they'll be no surprise if they build an indoor heated stadium with palm trees and the works, I’m sure they can accommodate for all the family. 

If they can do it in American why can't they bring it to City?

Villarreal are currently top and surely they're going to be top after this weekend's 5th Jornada where they face Sporting away on Saturday night. If you were the manager of Villarreal what would you be telling your team? Go one boys, it's Friday night, go and have a few beers and tapas, there's no need to worry about tomorrow's game.

Well, manager Manuel Pellegrini isn't letting his guard down and has said that the holes in Sporting's defense 'doesn't guarantee anything'. 'They are playing at home and we need to play to our maximum if we're going to get a result,' he added also saying that 'Every game is history.' I agree with you there Pellegrini, but this history book's already been written hasn't it?

 (maybe it has yes)

Villarreal may be concentrating on their game next week against Celtic in the Champions league, but if they are to remain top they need a result this Saturday night. I don't think it will be the same rugby score as against Barca and Madrid, maybe more, whatever happens there's a definite three points in the bag for Pellegrini and his boys.

Sevilla are fourth in the table after beating Espanyol 2 v 0 at home last night thanks to goals from Maresca (57) and Chevanton (86), but there were still moans from the crowd after a poor first half show. When Maresca scored he ran straight up to his manager / boss / lover, and dedicated the goal to him, how cute (afterwards apparently he had to wash the tears away)

Today Diego Capel said that the 'Mister' deserved the win 'We knew the importance of this game, especially after the derby, the person who most deserves the victory is the mister (governor) and we want to dedicate it to him, we know he's a strong man but we hope this helps him forget everything,' he added with a tear in his eye.

It was an important victory for Sevilla yesterday, probably the toughest so far and has boosted confidence among the team. Maybe if Jimenez had started with the same team as yesterday he would have got a better result against Betis. Maybe or maybe not; Betis put up a good fight yesterday against Barca to pull it back from 2 v 0 to 2 v 2 but they let it slip and lost 3 v 2 (despite a definite penalty that Sergio Garcia should have had). 

Unfortunately Sevilla's Columbian defender, Mosquera, sprained his ankle yesterday and will be out for about three weeks.Sevilla's next game is away to Atletico who won again yesterday 2 v 1 against Getafe in a Madrid derby.

After yesterday's game Jimenez should have won some faith back from his supporters, but how long will he keep it for? The Sevillianos are hard to please at times, trust me my girlfriend is one of them, only joking darling.

The news that new rich boys Manchester City are trying to buy Atletico's Sergio Aguero, Kun, has got the press talking over in Spain.

It's panic time for Atletico, they have started the season amazingly and don't need any hassle from the press, or hounding from City, about their whizz kid Argentinean striker.

Rumor has it that 60 million Euros have been offered for Kun, who has scored eight goals in the last four games, and is playing tonight in a Madrid derby against Getafe where representatives from City will be watching to see if he's really worth the price tag. 

About three days ago I wrote an article on Kun saying that he would be the new wonder boy and it's only been a week after the end of the transfer market and already he's getting hounded. Can't they wait a couple of months before we get started again?

Are Atletico a big enough club for the Argentinean wonder boy? Will he be gone in January? After Atletico take on Liverpool next month in the Champions League clash, all eyes will be on him. 

I don't know if Atletico have the capacity or capital to say no to 60 million Euros, but one things for sure City are on the prowl already and with Kun alongside Robinho and Jo there's gonna be trouble in the Prem.

After Jimenez's 'different' starting line up against Betis last Sunday he has been heavily criticized but he doesn't give two hoots 'I'd would play exactly the same team if we played Betis again' he said today. 'I've got it quite clear, I know my squad, I know what I'm doing and I don't care what other people's opinions are.'

 He's made it quite clear that he's in control (especially about his body odour, don't worry i've put deodrant on today amigo) but he also takes the blame for the result against Betis, which is fair enough. Against Espanyol tomorrow he will be without Adriano and Konko but will be trying Squillaci and Crespo.Maresca, the Italian midfielder, has defended the criticisms against Jimenez and said 'It's normal that they criticize us, we're Sevilla and everyone always wants more.' Then he added 'Jimenez was convinced of the ability of the team and that they could go out and get a good result against Betis.' He's asked the fans to ease off a bit if things don't get going against Espanyol in the first ten minutes and to hold back on the whistles, but will they listen? Tintin Marquez, manager for Espanyol, seems vibrant about the clash tomorrow. He's said that it will be a good opportunity for him to use other players in the squad as he will be resting some key players, including Raul Tamudo, who's played most of the games so far. 'We've got 27 players in the squad and it’s a good moment to give some of them a rest' he said. What are they on a holiday camp? Haven't they just had two months off? He does have a point though as his next three clashes are against Barca, Real Madrid and Villarreal (didn't I write an article complaining about this yesterday?)The two teams have started well so it will be a tough clash, I think after Sevilla's disappointed result on Sunday they will be raring to go and the fact that Tintin is resting Tamudo may make a difference. Prediction 2 v 1 to Sevilla.

And no it's not because now they've had this shirt printed. Today, David Villa, striker for Valencia and Spain, told Radio Marca in an interview why he didn't go to Real Madrid 'Before the Eurocup the decision that was made by the club was to sell me, but when I got back off holiday Vincente Soriano, the president, said he didn't want to sell me,' and if he told you to put your head in a hot Paella dish than would you? 'He didn't care about the debt of the club or what other offers were made, he wanted me to stay,' he added.

So basically after Villa became even more of a superstar after the Eurocup he decided not to sell him, fair enough Soriano, a bold decision. But will he stay until 2014? Just because he's signed a 'contract' and you've had a sexy shirt made for him doesn't mean he'll stay.

Villa also stopped rumors that Raul had said that he didn't want to play with him at Madrid 'The rumor isn't true. A player with as much class as Raul, on and off the pitch, knows that it's impossible that anyone can go to their president and say they don't want their club to sign a player or say something bad about them. I've always had a good relationship with Raul even though we haven't played much together with the national side,' he said.

He also denied that if Real Madrid had offered more money then he could have gone 'I don't think so because Vincente said he wouldn't accept any offer,' what any offer? He did say though that in two years things could change and Valencia might want to sell him.

But he did admit that maybe he'd like to finish his career at Sporting where he began. Sounds like Villa was very professional and loyal to Valencia today in the interview. Good on him.