Villarreal vs Celta Vigo - Striker Aspas staying grounded despite Vigo's impressive start

Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas is determined not to get carried away by his side's flying start to the season as they prepare to put their unbeaten record on the line against leaders Villarreal on Sunday.

The Galician outfit have collected 15 points from a possible 21 this term and include a 4-1 home triumph over European champions Barcelona as one of their four victories.

Celta are also one of only two unbeaten sides left in Spain's top flight, the other being Real Madrid, but Aspas is well aware it is still early days and says their first goal must be to guarantee their Primera Division status.

"We must be cautious and aim to reach the 40-point mark that will give us the necessary calmness and stability to set bigger aims," Aspas said on his club's website.

"Compared to last season, there is a lot more balance among the teams."

Celta missed a chance to leapfrog Villarreal at the top of the standings after being held to a goalless draw at home to Getafe prior to the international break.

That was Celta's second successive draw and kept them in third place, one point adrift of Villarreal who were surprisingly beaten at lowly Levante.

The 28-year-old Aspas, who has scored four goals and set up one more in seven league appearances for Celta this season, said: "Villarreal are doing things really well, just like we are, and have been working for some time with the same philosophy.

"Their style of play is the best alongside that of Barcelona.

"We are going there determined to bring home three points but knowing the adversity we will face in this game."

Celta coach Eduardo Berizzo will be without injured trio Ruben Blanco, Andreu Fontas and Dejan Drajic for the match.

However, captain Augusto Fernandez is set to return to action after missing the last fixture with a hand injury.

Villarreal have won all three La Liga games at El Madrigal this season and go into the contest looking to bounce back from their first league defeat of the campaign.

"We are disappointed by our last defeat but we are improving day after day," Villarreal's Serbian defender Antonio Rukavina said to Marca. "We want to hold onto first place and to be in the top positions for as long as possible.

"We are going to fight for that."

Villarreal were sixth in La Liga last season and are competing in the Europa League.

"Considering how we started the season and what other teams have done so far, we are thinking of the Champions League qualifying spots," Rukavina said.

"We have a good possibility to fight for that aim."

Villarreal, who have scored seven goals and conceded two in their opening three home games, will be bolstered by the return of Brazilian forward Leo Baptistao, who has shaken off a muscular injury.

Baptistao is set to lead the attack alongside Roberto Soldado.

The hosts will not be at full strength, though, with top scorer Cedric Bakambu out injured, along with Adrian and Denis Suarez.