FOCUS ON VILLARREAL

MANAGER

Javier Calleja is only a year into his first managerial post. The 40-year-old former Malaga and Osasuna midfielder was boss of Villarreal’s youth teams and the B team before taking over from Fran Escriba in September last year. Calleja played for Villarreal when they reached the semifinal of the Champions League in 2006, only to be beaten by Arsenal. He guided Villarreal to a decent fifth-place finish in Laliga last term but has found the job much harder this year.

FORM

The Yellow Submarine may top their Europa League section with six points but they sit just three points above Laliga’s relegation zone. Sunday’s 2-1 win over Real Betis was their first league win in seven and they have managed just four victories from 18 games in all competitions this season.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Rangers claimed an impressive 2-2 draw against the Spaniards when they met in their groupstage opener back in September. Carlos Bacca, pictured, fired the hosts ahead inside a minute at El Madrigal before Rangers hit back with a Scott Arfield strike. Gerard Moreno put Villarreal ahead again but Kyle Lafferty sent the 3,000 travelling supporters wild with a second equaliser. The two clubs also met in the last 16 of the 2005-06 Champions League. Villarreal, then managed by Manuel Pellegrini, came out on top on away goals after a 2-2 draw in Glasgow and a 1-1 draw in Spain. It was the Spanish club’s debut season in the competition. Calleja was an unused substitute at Ibrox and came off the bench in the return game at El Madrigal.

STAR MAN

Santi Cazorla remains Villarreal’s key figure at the heart of their midfield. The 33-year-old returned to his first club from Arsenal in the summer after six years with the London club. Cazorla has 77 caps for Spain but missed out on their 2010 World Cup success through injury. He came on as a substitute in Spain’s 1-0 European Championship final win over Germany in 2008 and was part of the squad in their 2012 triumph.