Zurich vs Villarreal - Villarreal head coach Fran Escriba aims to stay cool against FC Zurich

Villarreal are aiming to keep cool heads as they face off against FC Zurich in a game that could settle the Europa League hopes of one or both teams.

The Group L rivals go into the game at locked on five points apiece and both sides know they could seal progress to the knockout stage by the end of the night.

Both teams require group leaders Osmanlispor to avoid defeat at Steaua Bucharest for that to be the case, but that logistical kink is unlikely to rob the evening at the Letzigrund of any intensity.

Despite the stakes, the Spaniards are determined to retain their focus.

Villarreal head coach Fran Escriba said: "The team is more than ready for this game, we are calm but our mentality is to win.

"A good result leaves us open to complete the qualification at home.

"We have the ability to win but we have seen all Zurich's matches. They dominate their league with ease and are a complicated opponent.

"If we are at our level we will be closer to getting something positive but we will have to be attentive to them."

Villarreal defender and captain Bruno said: "We are all aware of the importance of this game. The team is very aware that we need to win. Zurich also needs the victory and will come all out for it.

"But you have to be calm. The ambition is to go for it and win the game. It is our hope and our ambition to move forward in Europe.

"If we win, everything will look different."The Yellow Submarine won the previous engagement on home turf, conceding early but bouncing back to take the points 2-1.

Zurich have won once and drawn twice in Europe since then, while continuing to roll over less opponents in the domestic second tier.

Their last three matches in the Challenge League have yielded maximum points and an aggregate score of 12-3 in Zurich's favour.

Things have not been so smooth injury-wise and they are definitely without captain and key man Gilles Yapi.

Question marks persist over the fitness of Oliver Buff and Kay Voser too, both men having suffered injuries in the 4-0 win at Servette on Saturday.

The duo have not yet been ruled out but must pass late fitness tests.