Villarreal vs Athletic Bilbao preview - Asenjo relishing Bilbao clash

Posted Monday, March 17, 2014 by PA

Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo is eagerly awaiting the Primera Division visit of Athletic Bilbao, a match he believes will be "one of the most interesting that can be seen this season".

Monday night sees fourth-placed Bilbao travel to the fifth-placed Yellow Submarine as the battle for the Champions League places hots up ahead of the final 10 rounds of the season.

Villarreal are currently seven points behind the Basque side, with Real Sociedad and Sevilla hot on their heels.

The 24-year-old Asenjo, who is on loan from Atletico Madrid, told as.com: "(This) is one of the most interesting (matches) that can be seen this season (because) except for the top three - that are at a higher level - the rest are fighting for a Champions League and Europe League spot. Bilbao, Real Sociedad and Sevilla maybe now are fighting for a Champions League spot.

"The game is the very best that you can see and (we will) try to give a good image of Villarreal again as it has been all season."

Marcelino Garcia Toral's home side go into the match on the back of just one win in their last five games, so they are determined to return to winning ways after last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Granada.

Asenjo believes Monday's game against Athletic will be intense, adding: "There comes a team like Athletic, putting a lot of intensity in every game and as they've shown, they are very talented.

"If we are to win, we need to put the same intensity into every play as them."

Ernesto Valverde's Bilbao have collected seven points from their last three games and will be aiming to build on their three-match unbeaten run in the league following a 1-1 draw at Valencia last time out.