Villar targetting further improvement this season

The youngster, currently away on international duty with Spain's Under-21s, enjoyed a strong finish to the 2019-20 campaign - forcing his way into coach Paulo Fonseca's plans with increasing regularity, culminating in an eye-catching display in the final day victory over Juventus in Turin.

Now looking ahead to the new season, Villar wants to continue to establish himself within the Roma midfield.

"It was a big jump for me to come to Serie A, but I think every day I adapted a bit better," Villar said.

"I finished last season well and I hope things keep on improving - that this season I am able to make more space for myself within this team.

"I wanted to start this new adventure [in January]. I think this year we'll see that was the right decision for me. I'm really happy and I want to prove what I can do."

He added: "Before I started watching games in Serie A, I didn't realise that all the myths about it were so wrong. It's not that defensive and tactical, the league has evolved so much.

"Italian football is great to watch and great to play in."