Néstor Ayala Villagra (born 18 February 1983) is a Paraguayan football player who plays as a striker for San Martín de San Juan in the Primera División Argentina.[1][2]

Néstor Ayala
Personal information
Full name Néstor Ayala Villagra
Date of birth (1983-02-18) 18 February 1983 (age 41)
Place of birth San Lorenzo, Paraguay
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
Santa Tecla
Number 17
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004 Sportivo Iteño 18 (9)
2004–2005 Once Lobos
2005–2006 Atlético Balboa
2006–2007 FAS
2007 Club Sportivo Luqueño 20 (8)
2007–2010 Club Atlético Tigre 57
2010 Deportivo Quito (6)
2011 Deportivo Cuenca 20 (8)
2011 San Martín de San Juan 8 (0)
2012 Técnico Universitario 13 (1)
2012–2013 Sportivo Luqueño 0 (0)
2014 12 de Octubre FC
International career
2007–2010 Paraguay 3 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Ayala began his professional footballing career playing for Sportivo Iteño in the Paraguayan third division. After playing well throughout the season, Ayala was offered trails to play for various clubs in El Salvador's Primera División. Ayala had trails with various clubs but was ultimately signed by Once Lobos for the 2004 Clausura tournament. He spent one year with the Santa Ana club, before transferring to C.D. Atlético Balboa for the 2005 season. After having a solid year with Atlético Balboa, Ayala finished the 2005–06 Apertura championship as his team's top goalscorer and tied for second as the league's leading scorer. As a result of his consistently good performances, Ayala arose interest from some of El Salvador larger clubs, and ultimately signed a 3-year contract with Club Deportivo FAS for the 2006 Clausura tournament. Ayala had a successful first season with FAS, finishing top scorer for his team. He led FAS to finish second for the season and was a vital part of the team progressing to the final against C.D. Águila (a game they ultimately lost 4–2).

After that season there was talk of Ayala becoming nationalised as a Salvadoran and playing for the national team, along with his teammate Alejandro de la Cruz Bentos, Vista Hermosa's Patricio Barroche and A.D. Isidro Metapán's Rodrigo Lago.[3]

For the 2006 Apertura Ayala once again began the season strong and was fast becoming a fan favourite. After his release, Ayala returned to Paraguay, where he signed with Sportivo Luqueño for the remainder of the season. There he was a part of Luqueño's championship winning team for that season. Ayala remained at the club for the 2006-07 Apertura tournament and was ultimately spotted by Argentina's Club Atlético Tigre.

Ayala transferred to Tigre for a reportedly 2,5 million transfer fee. He had solid performances with Tigre during his first season, one being against Argentine giants River Plate, when he netted 2 goals. Tigre eventually finished the 2007 Apertura in second place, the highest league finish in the club's history. Ayala made a contribution of 7 goals in 11 games.

Ayala left Tigre to join Ecuadorian Serie A champion Deportivo Quito in July 2010.[4] He scored 6 goals for Deportivo Quito during the second half of the 2010 Season.

On 1 February 2011, he officially agreed a 6-month contract with Deportivo Cuenca.[5]

International career

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Ayala was called up to the Paraguayan national side in a South American FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ecuador. Ayala played well, scoring a goal and assisting in another in Paraguay's 5–1 win.[6]

International goals

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References

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  1. ^ "Néstor Ayala :: Néstor Ayala Villagra ::".
  2. ^ "Gustavo Guerreño a punto de ser el paraguayo con más goles en El Salvador".
  3. ^ El Salvador Retrieved 30 November 2007
  4. ^ "Delantero paraguayo Néstor Ayala ya se mueve en el bicampeón ecuatoriano". Ecuavisa (in Spanish). 6 July 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  5. ^ "Néstor Ayala fue presentado con Deportivo Cuenca". futbolinmediato.com (in Spanish). 1 February 2011. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  6. ^ Sports Ya Retrieved 30 November 2007
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