It is widely accepted that the moment the Spanish turned from underachievers into an all-conquering outfit was when Cesc Fabregas stroked in the decisive penalty in the quarter-final shootout against the Italians at Euro 2008.
Italy had been something of a bogey team for spain until then but, four years later and with continental and world titles under their belts, Vicente del Bosque's side now hold the upper hand.
"I think it changed the mentality of the national team," central defender Gerard Pique, who was watching Euro 2008 on holiday in Majorca, told a news conference at Spain's training base in Gniewino, Poland on Friday.
"Before Spain played to avoid losing but afterwards they played to win," the 25-year-old said.
Striker Fernando Llorente, who also watched the match in Vienna on television from Spain, added: "It was a turning point.
"Beating Italy and getting to the semi-finals made us believe in ourselves. After that, we knew we could win and do something historic."
Villa's likely replacement at centre-forward, Fernando Torres, is still recovering from a spectacular loss of form over the past 18 months, while the central defensive pairing of Pique and Sergio Ramos is relatively untested.
"It's normal to be worried," midfielder Thiago Motta told reporters on Thursday at Italy's training base in Krakow.
"Three defeats, even in friendlies, is not normal for a team like us," added the former Barcelona player.
"It seems that Italy is wounded but I don't see it like that," he said.
"In the past, it has often been the case that they have played best when they have been discounted.
"We will have to be at 100 percent with all five senses focused on the game as we are talking about one of the greats in Europe and the world."
