Carlos Villanueva (Chilean footballer)

Carlos Villanueva

Personal information
Full name	Carlos Andrés Villanueva Roland
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s)	Attacking Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Blackburn Rovers
Number	TBA
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 28 February 2008

Carlos Andrés Villanueva Roland (born February 5, 1986) is a Chilean football player who plays for Blackburn Rovers. Villanueva's nickname is "Cabeza de Piña" ("pineapple head"). In the 2006 Clausura tournament of the Chilean first division, Audax played in the championship game falling to Colo-Colo, despite a goal from Villanueva.

In the Copa Libertadores 2007 the left-footed playmaker was the hub of Audax Italiano the surprise team of the group phase. The club were not able to qualify for the knockout phase due to goal differential.

Villanueva had quick players around him at full-back and in attack, and it brought the best out of his elegant passing. He was rewarded with a call-up to Chile's Copa América 2007 squad.

In 2008, he refused to be Audax captain because of a dispute he had with the directors of the team.

Carlos Villanueva was unable to join second division Spanish team Real Sociedad. The Spanish club had financial problems and could not complete the transaction with Audax Italiano.

Blackburn Rovers

On July 17, 2008, it was confirmed by his agent and former club that Carlos Villanueva will play for the Premiership team, Blackburn Rovers. The player himself confirmed on the 29th of July that he would be joining Rovers pending a Work Permit being given.

Chile National Team

Villanueva was in the squad that played in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship representing Chile in the Netherlands. He has also capped for the senior squad and played for Chile in the Copa América 2007, where he scored a goal against Ecuador on his first official game with the senior squad. (Video).