Villanueva: It's not all rover yet

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The 23-year-old joined the Lancashire club on loan from Chilean side Audax Italiano in the summer and was brought in by Allardyce's predecessor Paul Ince, but since his sacking Villanueva has only featured in the FA Cup for Blackburn.

However, he does not want to give up on a future in England just yet, and told El Mercurio newspaper: "My idea is to stay here, but the truth is that it is not up to me. We'll see what happens because I hope I can be given the chance to stay here."

He added: "A new coach is here and I don't know why I could not play in the Premier League. The tactics he uses demands long balls and stronger players.

"I am calm. Even though I haven't played so much, I've been learning from such competitive football. The good point is that I've been playing the reserve and cup matches.

"Here, football is very different to Chile because of the dynamism of the game. The players are faster and stronger. Besides, referees do not blow so much and let the game go on, so matches are more intense.

"I don't know what I need, but if I have a new chance to play in the Premier, I will take it because I'd love staying here."

Villanueva, who would prefer a move to another European club over a return to Audax, accepts his lack of action has affected his international chances.

"It is quite normal that (Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa) has not called me up to play in the World Cup qualifiers because I have not been playing regularly," he said.

"I will have to wait until I am playing regular football."