Villarreal vs Levante preview - Valero wary of Levante

Posted Saturday, February 05, 2011 by PA

Villarreal playmaker Borja Valero has warned his team-mates not to expect an easy time of it against struggling Levante despite all signs pointing to a comfortable home victory.

Third-placed Villarreal are a massive 27 points above third-bottom Levante, and also boast the second-best home record in the division behind Real Madrid, with 10 wins and a draw from their 11 games at El Madrigal.

As well as that, Levante have recorded just five points from a possible 33 on their travels this season, and have been defeated in seven of their last eight away games across league and cup.

Nevertheless, Valero is preaching caution ahead of Villarreal's meeting with their east coast neighbours, saying: "We don't want to suffer any scare and we must give our best to win. They want to stay in the Primera Division and will give it everything."

Villarreal's impressive 1-0 win at fifth-placed Espanyol last weekend allowed them to increase their advantage over the Barcelona-based outfit to eight points, while they also moved four points clear of fourth-placed Valencia who drew at Racing Santander.

Juan Carlos Garrido's side also closed the gap to second-placed Real Madrid to six points after Jose Mourinho's men surprisingly lost at Osasuna, although Valero insists his team are currently more focused on what is happening behind them rather than in front.

"The most important thing for now is to keep our distance to fourth and fifth place," Valero said.

Levante had lost five league matches on the trot prior to last weekend's 2-0 home win over Getafe. That victory lifted the Valencia-based side off the foot of the table, although they are still three points adrift of safety.

Coach Luis Garcia is under no illusions about how tough the match could be, saying: "Villarreal are the third best team in the league, after Barcelona and Real Madrid. They have a very impressive first 11, full of international players."