Villarreal vs Sevilla preview - Trigueros focused on clean sheet

Villarreal midfielder Manu Trigueros insists his team's priority in Thursday's home match against Sevilla is not to concede a goal.

The Valencian outfit takes on Sevilla at El Madrigal stadium in the first leg of their all-Spanish Europa League last 16 clash.

Cup holders Sevilla have won their last four European ties against Primera Division opponents but take on a Villarreal side that has yet to lose at home in the competition this season.

"It's important they don't score," Trigueros told his club's official website. "This year we are proving to be very strong at home, playing great games in front of our fans.

"This is what we want to keep doing.

"We know Sevilla have a great team, with a lot of qualify and will make life difficult for us.

"One of their strengths is aerial play and we will have to be very careful not to give away free-kicks close to our area."

Villarreal, coached by former Sevilla tactician Marcelino, eliminated Red Bull Salzburg 5-2 on aggregate in the previous round.

They are sixth in the Primera Division, just one place and one point adrift of Sevilla.

Marcelino's side warmed up for the encounter with Sunday's 4-1 triumph against Celta Vigo, their eighth straight home win in the league.

"We are having a very positive campaign," Trigueros said. "We are very enthusiastic about the Europa League and we hope we can go as far as possible in this competition."

Sevilla edged Villarreal 2-1 at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium the last time the sides met in October.

Unai Emery's men travel to Villarreal in confident mood after Sunday's 4-3 success at Deportivo La Coruna.

Sevilla had previously lost their last four away league games.

"We must keep a clean sheet and make the most of our chances," Sevilla midfielder Vicente Iborra said. "It's difficult for us not to score because we create lots of chances.

"We have to be focused from start to finish and take home a good result with us in view of the return leg on March 19."

Sevilla, who ousted Borussia Monchengladbach from the competition in the last round, are without injured trio Iago Aspas, Beto and Daniel Carrico.

The hosts will not be at full strength with midfielder Tomas Pina suspended while captain Bruno Soriano as well as defenders Adrian Marin and Eric Bally are all sidelined through injury.