Aragones hails hero Villa

Villa, fresh from his hat-trick in the midweek triumph over Russia, netted his side's winner deep into injury-time to help Spain move within touching distance of a quarter-final spot with two victories from two.

"We were fortunate to have Villa, who scored a goal which was almost impossible to score," Aragones said. "If you look at it from the outside you wonder just how he managed to score it."

There appeared little danger as Spain left-back Joan Capdevila pumped a long ball down the wing, but Villa showed tremendous anticipation, speed and skill to pick up possession, cut inside marker Petter Hansson before coolly slotting past Andreas Isaksson for the clincher.

Villa said: "To tell you the truth I am prouder of this goal than the three I scored the other day, I`m so happy. It's good for me to be able to be there for Spain and help win us the three points. Let's hope that things carry on like this."

Meanwhile, Sweden coach Lars Lagerback believes star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be fit to face Russia in Wednesday's crucial Group D finale despite only lasting 45 minutes against Spain.

Ibrahimovic, who had been an injury doubt leading up to the game due to a knee problem, was substituted at half-time having earlier drawn Sweden level with his second goal of the tournament.

"Zlatan had some sensation of pain in his knee, we had a brief discussion with our medical team and although he probably could have been able to play a few more minutes, it was decided that it was better to take him off than risk making the injury worse," Lagerback said.

"We do have another game left and we knew that regardless of the result, we had things in our own hands so we chose to make this substitution.

"Obviously this is a bitter way to lose a match, in the very final seconds," he said.