Rayo Vallecano - Sevilla preview - Emery: Reyes is 'very committed' - 7M sport

Rayo Vallecano - Sevilla preview - Emery: Reyes is 'very committed'



Posted Saturday, December 06, 2014 by PA

Sevilla coach Unai Emery has hailed the resurgent form of Jose Antonio Reyes, but refused to confirm that he would start the former Arsenal striker on Sunday at Rayo Vallecano.

The 31-year-old has only made three appearances in the league this season but was one of the team's top performers in the 5-1 drubbing of Sabadell in the Copa del Rey match during the week, also impressing as Sevilla thrashed local rivals Granada last Sunday.

"We are very happy with his performances, with his level of confidence right now, he's very committed," Emery told a press conference, quoted in Marca.

"But some games are more suitable to his qualities. Vallecas is similar to Rijeka and Feyenoord [places where Sevilla have failed to win in the Europa League this season] and with these difficulties it's going to be difficult for him to play as we want him to.

"For the touch of quality that sets Reyes apart, perhaps this isn't the easiest stage for him to shine. But he also could be necessary to unbalance Rayo's intense play."

Another welcome selection headache for Emery relates to Iago Aspas, who scored a hat-trick within three minutes against Sabadell, but who has not started a single game in the league.

Sevilla's win over Granada took them back into the top four, and Emery is pleased that the media are now talking about the team's prospects of qualifying for the Champions League, but stressed that no-one would be getting carried away.

He said: "It's good that this question is being asked, it means that we are up there and amongst it.

"We are in the fourth month of the season and the fact we are talking about it (the Champions League) is good. Our league position gives us a positive message but it won't distract us.

"We have to go down our own path and think about the next game. There's still a long way to go."

The game in Vallecas marks 90 years since Rayo were formed, and the club have also announced that five euros of every ticket sold will go towards paying the rent of 85-year-old Carmen Martinez, the woman Rayo pledged to help financially after she was evicted from her house.

Rayo beat Almeria 1-0 in their last league game to move up to 10th in the table but lost 2-1 to Valencia in the Copa del Rey on Thursday.

Goalkeeper David Cobeno and defender Ze Castro both sustained injuries in the game which rule them out of the clash with Sevilla, while full-back Tito is suspended.

Left-back Benoit Tremoulinas is Sevilla's only injury concern - the Frenchman has a foot problem.



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