Sevilla vs Villarreal preview - Marcelino thankful for vote of confidence

Posted Sunday, February 05, 2012 by PA

Sevilla coach Marcelino has thanked the club for not sacking him after a run of six Primera Division games without a win.

Speculation has grown in recent weeks that the former Racing Santander boss could be in the firing line, but he insists he has not been issued with any ultimatum from the board and still believes his side can turn things round - starting with Sunday's home game against Villarreal.

He told Marca: "There has been no ultimatum. I have to thank them because until now and with a series of bad results they have kept me here.

"The confidence that the technical team have showed in me isn't normal after the results we have been having.

"The team will come out in a completely different manner than in the last match [2-1 defeat] against Malaga - I have no doubt about that. The way to win is to face the game like we did in the last two games at home against Valencia and Espanyol. This is the way to dominate the opponent."

Federico Fazio returns for the hosts and will take the place of the suspended Emir Spahic, but Diego Perotti has been ruled out and Jose Antonio Reyes and Antonio Luna are doubtful.

Villarreal boss Jose Molina is just as desperate for the three points as his side remain in the relegation zone, largely due to their form away from home as they have failed to win on the road all season.

He told the club's website: "The truth is winning away from home is the goal for us now. We intend to play together in attack and in defence. In most areas of the field we have done okay but we have just lacked a little assertiveness to get better results away from home."

Molina is also hoping that the added pressure on Sevilla can help his team.

"Nobody knows how a team in Sevilla's situation are going to react," he added.

"They will be trying to reverse their situation, but possibly this pressure can benefit us.

"I am not interested in Sevilla's predicament; I am only interested in Villarreal because we really need the points.

"We need to go to the Pizjuan with maximum intensity and focused on doing our job well."

Marco Ruben is a doubt for the visitors but Molina did manage to hold onto Nilmar during the transfer window, despite suggestions he would return to Brazil, and bring in Uruguayan Alejandro Martinuccio and both could feature up front.