Villarreal vs Levante preview - Garrido impressed with Levante success

Villarreal coach Juan Carlos Garrido has lauded neighbouring Levante as an example to the rest of the Primera Division as his struggling side welcome the league's surprise package to El Madrigal.

Valencia-based Levante started the weekend lying level with Barcelona on 17 points at the top of the standings having won their last five matches, a run that has included victories over Real Madrid and big-spending Malaga.

It is a remarkable start to the season for a club that last term only narrowly avoided an immediate return to the Segunda Division, finishing two points above the relegation zone, and their current success has impressed Garrido.

"We are playing against the league leaders and that says it all. Levante are an example for all the Primera Division teams. What they are doing is admirable and we admire them. We will have to make a huge effort to beat them," said Garrido, whose side in contrast to their opponents have had a hugely disappointing start to the campaign.

The Yellow Submarine finished fourth last season but have won just one of their opening seven games this term, leaving them 14th in the standings, while they have also lost all three of their Champions League matches.

The latest defeat in Europe was a heartbreaking one, with Manchester City fighting back from an early deficit to claim a 2-1 win on Tuesday thanks to a last-gasp winner from Sergio Aguero.

Garrido found positives from his side's performance in that match but he acknowledges what they really need now is a victory.

"Right now we know we are doing things well and that we are playing better bit by bit. We need to confirm all this with a victory in a very important moment for us. We are working hard to achieve it and we are convinced we will do it," he said.

"The team is highly motivated because we are facing opponents who are very much in form and who are at the top of the table.

"We want to win because that's what we need to be higher up the table."

Levante defender Javi Venta will know all about what his side can expect to face this weekend having spent 11 years at the Yellow Submarine before leaving in 2010, and he is not being lulled into a false sense of security by Villarreal's poor start to the season.

He said in AS: "Villarreal are in need of points and they want to be near the top, it's true they aren't in good form but we are well aware that it's going to be a very difficult game.

"They are team with personality, who finished fourth last season."