Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano preview - Rayo boss fears hiding

Posted Saturday, September 20, 2014 by PA

Rayo Vallecano coach Paco Jemez is worried his team could receive another hiding at the hands of Villarreal on Sunday if they are not fully focused on the game.

Last season the Yellow Submarine beat Rayo 5-2 in Vallecas and won the return game at El Madrigal 4-0 and Jemez is wary of history repeating itself.

"Villarreal are a great team and we know that if we don't play well they could thrash us, which is what happened to us last season," Jemez told a press conference.

Rayo suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend at the hands of Elche and head east to El Madrigal in search of their first win of the new term.

"They (Villarreal) are a team full of great players, they have a great attitude and a great coach. It's a big challenge for us and it would be great to go to Villarreal, take the game to them and win," added Jemez

"We want to pick up our first win and then keep on working. We will be up against one of the best teams in the league and our chances rest on the pace at which which we play, which will affect whether or not we can find some gaps in their defence late on in the game."

Rayo's task is made all the harder by the absence of Villarreal loanees Jonathan Pereira and Javier Aquino, who are both barred from playing against their parent club, while centre-back Antonio Amaya and substitute goalkeeper David Cobeno are both injured.

However, Jemez said: "If there's one thing we can't complain about this year it's having a full squad and we shouldn't be concerned about any eventuality.

"We have more than enough players to ensure we won't be weakened when we are missing players."

Villarreal are still without defenders Bojan Jokic and Jaume Costa, plus danger man Giovani dos Santos through injury, while striker Ikechukwu Uche is a doubt.

The Nigerian took a knock to his shin while scoring the equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach in Thursday's Europa League game, just 30 seconds after coming on as a substitute.