Villarreal are in crisis mode, or at least mini-crisis mode, following successive defeats to Malaga and Athletic Club. The team has looked uncompetitive and unmotivated, and coach Calleja has come under fire for his formations and tactics. The general impression of much of the fanbase is that Calleja is going to be replaced in the summer, but who knows.
Sevilla will be playing this match on short rest, having drawn against Bayern 0-0 in their Champions League quarterfinal yesterday. As for Villarreal, with Alvaro Gonzalez’s silly sending-off in the dying moments of the Bilbao match, and Daniele Bonera having to be substituted at halftime due to a leg injury, exactly what Villarreal’s back four will look like isn’t known yet. (I’m assuming Victor Ruiz and Jaume Costa have recovered enough from their stomach flu to be essentially 100%).
Sevilla, of course, still have the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona coming up the following Saturday, which could be their best avenue into Europe next season. As for Villarreal, with three home matches in a row after this, the Sevilla match would be a good opportunity to get some of our more fickle fans re-motivated to come out and support the club. If nothing else, that would remove a tired and overused excuse for poor home performances.