Espanyol vs Sevilla preview - Pochettino accepts responsibility for poor season

Coach Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged Espanyol have under-achieved this season.

Espanyol go into their final La Liga match of the season against Sevilla at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat with little more than pride to play for.

They have lost their four league games - a run that has ended any hopes they had of claiming a place in next season's Europa League.

Under-fire boss Pochettino has admitted his own shortcomings as he tries to rally his troops from last week's humbling 4-0 defeat to rivals Barcelona.

"Nobody is going to avoid responsibility, I am the first," he told Marca.

"We have not got good results and we cannot hide from that, me especially."

On-loan AC Milan defender Didac Vila echoed his coach's thoughts.

"We hate that we haven't been able to qualify for Europe," Vila said.

"We expected to qualify for Europe and not just be playing 38 league games next season."

Espanyol will be looking to end their season with a flourish, although striker Sergio Garcia is facing a race against time to be fit for the clash as he bids to recover from a thigh injury.

But playmaker Juan Albin, Brazilian full-back Felipe Mattioni and Ivorian midfielder Romaric are all out of contention.

Sevilla have also endured a dispiriting campaign and they are almost certain to finish outside the European places for the first time in nine years.

They are three points off sixth place and will require a minor miracle to seal a spot in the Europa League.

One ray of light for Michel Gonzalez's side has been Jesus Navas, who was named the club's player of the year earlier this week.

His performances have attracted a series of suitors, and although he is content to stay at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan for the time being, the 26-year-old insists Sevilla must target European football next season.

"The team has to fight for everything to get back into Europe," Navas told Marca.

"I am very happy at the club but we have not achieved our objectives this season."