Carlos Villanueva (footballer)

Football player infobox
playername = Carlos Villanueva


fullname = Carlos Andrés Villanueva Roland
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1986|2|5|df=yes
cityofbirth = La Serena
countryofbirth = Chile
height = height|meters=1.73
currentclub = Blackburn Rovers
(on loan from Audax Italiano)
clubnumber = 19
position = Attacking midfielder
youthyears = 1993–2000
2000–2002
2001
youthclubs = El Romeral
Deportes La Serena
→ Universidad Católica (loan)
years = 2002–2004
2004–
2008–
clubs = Deportes La Serena
Audax Italiano
→ Blackburn Rovers (loan)
caps(goals) = 015 0(5)
125 (50)
002 0(1)
nationalyears = 2007–
nationalteam = Chile
nationalcaps(goals) = 012 0(1)
pcupdate = 02:11, 7 October 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 28 February 2008

Carlos Andrés Villanueva Roland (born February 5, 1986 in La Serena) is a Chilean football player who is currently on a season long loan at English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers and played for Chilean Audax Italiano until July 2008.

Audax Italiano

In the 2006 Clausura tournament of the Chilean First Division, Audax played in the Championship game, losing to Colo-Colo despite scoring a goal in the game.

In the Copa Libertadores 2007, the left-footed play maker was the hub of Audax Italiano. The team was not able to qualify for the knockout phase due to goal differential.

Villanueva was rewarded with a call-up to Chile's Copa América 2007 squad.

In 2008, Carlos refused to become Audax captain due to a dispute he had with the directors of the team. Villanueva was also unable to join Second Division Spanish team Real Sociedad due to the Spanish team's financial problems.

Blackburn Rovers

On July 17, 2008, it was confirmed by Villanueva's agents and also former club that Villanueva would play for the Blackburn Rovers of the Premiership in England. He also confirmed this on July 29, pending a Work Permit being issued.

On August 2, Villanueva completed his season-long loan move to Blackburn Rovers. The club have the option to make the deal permanent, at a pre-agreed fee. Villanueva also agreed terms to extend his contract for a further three years, if the option is exercised.

On 27 August, Villanueva made his debut for Blackburn in a League Cup game against Grimsby, a match in which he scored his first goal for the club. He also set up a goal for fellow striker Matt Derbyshire and had a direct hand in the other two goals, in a 4-1 win. After the game, Rovers boss Paul Ince described Villanueva as "Something special" and that he has "A special talent".Fact|date=September 2008

On 20 September, Villanueva made his (home) debut in the Premier League as a late second half substitute against Fulham, his impact was immediate and substantial. Linking up well to provide a looping cross for Roque Santa Cruz to head down for the winning goal, which was converted by Matt Derbyshire.

He made his full starting Premier League debut on 27 September, against Newcastle United at St. James' Park, getting an excellent assist providing a cross for a headed goal for Christopher Samba

Chile National Team

Villanueva was in the squad that played in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship representing Chile in the Netherlands. He was also capped for the senior squad and played for Chile in the Copa América 2007, where he scored a superb free kick goal against Ecuador [http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=eAJy9rxgvgk Video of free kick vs Ecuador] on his first official game with the senior squad.

References

External links

*soccerbase|id=46574|name=Carlos Villanueva