EMANUEL Villa has no doubt about what he will miss most in England after returning to Mexico – the Derby County fans.

Argentine striker Villa completed his move to Mexican side Cruz Azul this week, bringing to an end a spell with the Rams during which he failed to establish himself in the first team.

Villa joined the Rams from Tecos – another Mexican club – for £2m in January 2008 but, while he soon became popular with Derby supporters for his whole-hearted attitude, he rarely found the back of the net and struggled to nail down a place in the starting 11.

However, it is the non-stop backing he received from the Rams fans that Villa will keep as a lasting memory of his time at Pride Park.

"The most beautiful thing I'll take with me is the love of the fans," said Villa.

"I'll remember how wonderful they have been to me and how well they treated me all the time.

"I'll take with me great memories of the fans and that would be the thing I'd miss the most once I'm gone."

Villa scored three times in 16 Premier League appearances for the Rams, including nine starts, heading a late equaliser at Birmingham City and netting twice in a 2-2 home draw with Fulham.

Last season, he could only manage two goals in 30 appearances in the Championship, although 18 of those were as a substitute. One was a header at Queens Park Rangers and the other was in the 1-1 draw at home to Nottingham Forest, when he scored at both ends.

Villa enjoyed more success in Derby's Carling Cup run, scoring four times in five outings.

His scoring run included a hat-trick at Brighton & Hove Albion and one in the home win over Leeds United.

And it is the three goals he scored aginst the Seagulls that is another highlight for the Argentine. He also remembers his brace against Fulham, although that particular memory is tinged with the pain of relegation.

"I remember my hat-trick against Brighton, which also helped us advance one more round in the League Cup," added Villa.

"I also remember the day I scored two goals against Fulham, although it's not exactly a completely happy memory because that day we knew we had reached a point in which we had no more chances to avoid relegation from the Premier League. I enjoyed scoring against Nottingham Forest."

Villa is now hoping to make his mark in Mexico again – and is not entirely sorry to see the back of English football.

"To be perfectly honest, I couldn't quite enjoy football in England," said Villa.

"In the Premier League there are a number of clubs with a lot of quality. Teams that play good football.

"In terms of attractive football, the level at the Championship is a big step behind.

"Football is very different from what I was used to in Argentina and Mexico. It is much more physical in England. It is less creative. The ball spends a lot of time in the air.

"I have spoken to Carlos Tevez and we both agreed that it is very difficult for us, Argentine forwards, to play our best game.

"You have to spend a lot more time struggling and fighting to find your way around.

"Perhaps defenders and midfielders don't suffer from this.

"That said, I have to tell you that I've learned a lot of things playing in England."