Villarreal vs Steaua Bucuresti - Fran Escriba confident Villarreal can progress from Group L

Villarreal boss Fran Escriba is confident his side will make it through the Europa League's tightest group.

With just the final two matches to go, only one point separates Osmanlispor, Villarreal, Steaua Bucharest and FC Zurich in Group L.

Villarreal and Steaua face each other knowing a win for either side would be enough for a place in the last 32, while a draw would leave them vulnerable.

The Spaniards have the slight advantage of knowing they would come out on top of any three-way tie, but they still have plenty of work to do to maintain their record of always having reached the knock-out stages of the Europa League or UEFA Cup.

Escriba said on the club's website: "All four teams are in the same situation, whoever wins will qualify. We're just thinking about ourselves, about playing well and winning, not depending on anyone.

"We're playing against teams that are stronger than they seem and this is why this competition has been so difficult - we aren't the only ones to have made mistakes. But qualification is still in our hands and we're going to take it."

Escriba believes the high stakes will help his side, who sit fifth in the Primera Division.

He added: "The players know how to play under pressure, they've already played matches at this level, they're top-level players and I'm sure they're going to do well.

"I'm more worried about the matches that people think are easy. They're going to be nervous for this match, but the pressure is going to help them focus more, I'm sure of that."

Steaua have not won any of their last seven fixtures against Spanish clubs dating back a decade.

They are sitting at the top of the Romanian league and kept themselves in contention in the Europa League with a victory over Osmanlispor in their last match.

Manager Laurentiu Reghecampf sprang a surprise by including 20-year-old striker Alexandru Tudorie in the travelling squad.

He had relegated Tudorie to the reserves and was criticised after saying the forward could help the team by carrying luggage.