Villa ices game with spectacular chip shot

Washington (AFP) – Former Barcelona striker David Villa helped lead New York City FC to a 2-0 victory Friday with a jaw-dropping chip from 53 yards out against the lowly Philadelphia Union.

The 35-year-old Spaniard delivered the clincher with his highlight chip in the 90th minute in front of a crowd of 16,000 at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania.

The reigning MLS MVP lobbed his perfect shot over the head of Union goalkeeper Andre Blake from just outside of the midfield circle on the Union’s side of the pitch.

Blake backpedalled to the backline, then jumped and took a wild stab but missed Villa’s remarkable chip.

The Spanish national team’s record goalscorer has now scored four goals in six games in 2017.

“Everybody told me congratulations,” Villa said. “We are happy because the moment of the goal was good for the team.

“We wanted to win the game, we were 1-0, but in some situations the other team can score, and with this goal, the game was won.”

Said Villa’s coach Patrick Viera, “It was fantastic, it was a good finish, and I think it takes a special player to score a special goal.”

Jack Harrison scored off a pretty setup from Ronald Matarritta for the only other goal of the contest.

The hapless Union entered the weekend as one of only two remaining winless MLS teams, along with the Montreal Impact.

Philadelphia has lost four straight games this season and hasn’t won in 13 matches, a streak dating back to last season.