Almeria vs Villarreal preview - Martinez ready for crucial clash

Posted Saturday, March 14, 2015 by PA

Almeria coach Juan Ignacio Martinez believes his side's clash with Villarreal on Sunday will be crucial to whether or not his team avoids relegation.

The Andalusian side are third bottom of the Primera Division and are without a win in their last four matches.

"This game is fundamental to our fight for survival," Martinez told a press conference.

"I don't want to sound dramatic, but the truth is we are in the relegation zone and we don't want to be left behind. We are in a sticky situation and the only way to get out of it is by winning on Sunday."

Villarreal are 12 league positions and 26 points better off than Almeria, and Martinez knows his side will have to improve on their recent displays if they are to earn a victory.

"What we have been doing in recent weeks will not be enough to win, we'll be closer to losing if we play like that so we have to be aware that we cannot afford to commit any errors, especially against a team like Villarreal," said the coach, whose team were beaten 1-0 at fellow strugglers Elche last weekend.

"They are a clearly defined team who have shown what they are capable of this season, both by their league position but above all because of how they play."

Almeria face a wounded Villarreal side who were beaten 3-1 by Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie on Thursday and are now on the verge of exiting the competition.

According to left-back Jaume Costa, the defeat will make his side even more determined to win at Almeria.

"Now we have to focus on Almeria because it's a very important game for us, we have to try and get the three points so that we can qualify for European competition against next season," the defender told Villarreal's official website.

Martinez's only fresh injury concern is defender Ximo Navarro who is struggling to be fit after sustaining a muscle problem, while Villarreal are still without influential captain Bruno Soriano and full-back Bojan Jokic.