Sporting Gijon vs Villarreal preview - Colunga: Sporting relishing battle

Posted Tuesday, May 01, 2012 by PA

Sporting Gijon forward Adrian Colunga insists his side are champing at the bit to face Villarreal in a potentially decisive relegation battle.

Three wins in four games have brought third-bottom Sporting to within four points of 17th-placed Villarreal with just three games to go and Colunga is hoping to carry the momentum from Saturday's 3-0 win at Espanyol into the clash.

He told AS: "We didn't have much time to celebrate the victory on Saturday because the Villarreal match is already here.

"In the dressing room all we are talking about is the Villarreal game and with a great desire for the hour of the game to arrive."

Colunga is not expecting an easy night though, adding: "They are a team with a lot of quality, great potential and players that can resolve a game in one play.

"We have to play with intensity, not commit any errors and take advantage of having the fans on our side."

Sporting boss Javier Clemente will be forced into at least a couple of changes from the side that won at Espanyol, however, as Ayoze Garcia is suspended and Miguel de las Cuevas is a major doubt with a muscle injury.

With Roberto Canella also out injured, Pedro Orfila is expected to deputise at left-back, whilst Formose Mendy could be handed his first start in a month in De las Cuevas' absence.

Villarreal manager Miguel Angel Lotina, whose side have been slowly edging towards survival with three consecutive 1-1 draws, is expecting to face a hostile atmosphere at El Molinon.

He told the club's website: "Obviously we are expecting a difficult atmosphere in Gijon, but in the Primera that is something that you get used to. A victory there is a huge step towards survival and we have to keep this in mind."

However, Lotina is not concerned about having conceded late equalisers in each of their last three games.

"This is football and you have to accept strange situations. We have to be strong and not think about what has past but concentrate on what is to come and prepare for the next game. This is the most important game of the season and we are going into it with all the hope in the world to take something positive."

Jose Catala is expected to replace Jaume Costa after serving his one-match suspension against Osasuna on Saturday but that could be the only change as Lotina continues to leave Nilmar on the bench.