Sevilla coach Gregorio Manzano had two reasons to celebrate on Tuesday night: the first was his side' s 3-0 win over Villarreal which took them to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and the second was the return of defender Sergio Sanchez to competitive action.

Sanchez stepped onto a football field for the first time since he was diagnosed with a heart condition a year earlier.

The diagnosis came a matter of months after the death of Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque, who collapsed and died while on pre-season training. It also followed on from the death of Sevilla winger Antonio Puerta, who collapsed and died in August 2007 after passing out during his side' s first game of the season.

Those deaths sent shockwaves through Spanish football and when Sanchez announced his heart problem, it was expected the 24-year-old would never play again.

However, Sanchez sought medical advice and last summer he underwent a difficult heart operation in Hamburg, in order to be able to play again. That saw Sanchez inaugurate a long road to recovery.

He was finally given the all-clear to play just before the end of December and could hardly hide his happiness.

"It has been a long road and one filled with obstacles. But I have been surrounded by the best people, who have shown, great human and professional qualities,. Thanks to them I have been given the good news and I will be able to celebrate the New Year in a totally different way to last year," said Sanchez at the time.

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