Villarreal vs Sevilla preview - Soriano calls for final push

Villarreal captain Bruno Soriano has urged his team-mates to make one final push before the Christmas break and beat Sevilla to end what has already been a spectacular year for the club on a high.

Two-thousand-and-thirteen has seen the Yellow Submarine earn promotion back to the Primera Division and then record their best-ever start to a season in the top flight.

A draw with Malaga and a defeat at Barcelona in the last two league games has somewhat put a dampener on the final phase of the calendar year, but Bruno hopes they can put things right with three points on Saturday.

"We have to say it loud and clear, Saturday's game is a massive game and that's why we're really keen to play well so we can win the last game of the year," he told a press conference.

"We want to continue on the same path we've taken since the start of the season to round off the year and toast the victory to the fans, to finish off what without a doubt has been a very special year."

Bruno returns to the side after missing the Barcelona game through suspension, but attacking midfielder Cani is still out with a sprained knee.

Sevilla are unbeaten in their last four league games and despite a shaky start to the season, have closed the gap with fifth-placed Villarreal to five points, and would cut it down to just two with a win at El Madrigal.

But they go into the game in low spirits after being knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Segunda Division side Racing Santander during the week, and will be without suspended midfielder Stephane M'bia and Spain international Alberto Moreno, who has a muscle strain.

However, Bruno believes Unai Emery's side will be even more motivated following their disappointment in the cup.

"Sevilla are a very difficult team and have top class players," he insisted.

"They've just returned from getting a negative result in the Cup and I'm sure they'll do everything they can against us to try and finish the year well.

"With the players they've got they should be near the top of the league and they'll want to prove that here."