Valencia's Spain international striker David Villa said on Thursday that his ambition was to set a new goal scoring record for his country.

With 25 goals from 42 international appearances, Villa is well on track to overtake current maximum goal scorer Raul Gonzalez, who scored 44 goals in 102 appearances.

Villa is currently the fifth highest scorer in his country's history, but a goal against Turkey this weekend would see him draw level with fourth placed Emilio Butragueno.

However, the striker is aiming even higher.

"I am proud because the goals are helping my country and that is the main objective," said Villa.

"But I also have the aim of overtaking Butragueno, Morientes, Fernando Hierro and Raul. I used to watch some of them on television, but I never imagined that I would be able to beat their records."

"It is a very difficult challenge, but I am working on it," he told sports daily Diario AS.

"I go out in every game with the aim of doing the best that I can and wanting to help the team. If I can score a goal or two on top of that, then so much the better. It is a joy scoring goals," he said.

Villa also looked ahead to Saturday's World Cup qualifying game at home to Turkey, in which a win will all but assure Spain a place in the 2010 World Cup finals

"I'd be happy for anyone to score against Turkey as long as it means we win the game. What I want is for us to win and for Spain to qualify for the World Cup finals. That is the most important thing," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2009)