Team news

Triple hope for Spaniards Villarreal will be desperate to continue their recent improved form, keep their Europa League hopes alive, and gain revenge for their heartbreaking defeat in Rome when they host Lazio at El Madrigal.

Villarreal lost 2-1 in the first meeting with the Italians, conceding an injury-time winner despite playing against 10 men for the last 25 minutes.

Since then Ernesto Valverde's men finally appear to have got their season up and running following a dismal start.

In their first game after that defeat in the Eternal City, the Yellow Submarine recorded their first Primera Division win of the season when they beat Malaga 2-1 and then, after drawing with Puertollano in the Copa del Rey, they thrashed Tenerife 5-0 last weekend to claim their biggest league victory in more than six years.

That improved form could not have been more timely, as they are now virtually in the last-chance saloon in the Europa League after losing two of their opening three games, leaving them six points behind Group G leaders Salzburg.

Defender Ivan Marcano said: "If we lose against Lazio we're almost out, and it would be a shame because we have high hopes in this competition.

"They (Lazio) are having problems, but in the first leg they showed that they have very dangerous players on the counter-attack." Lazio head into the match with a three-point advantage over Villarreal in the group, thanks to wins over the Spaniards and basement side Levski Sofia.

Their European form has so far given the Biancocelesti fans something to celebrate, unlike their domestic form which has been disappointing at best.

Just two wins in 11 Serie A matches has left Davide Ballardini's side 15th in the table and only two points above the drop zone.

But the Lazio coach is keen to put their domestic troubles to one side for a few days and concentrate on making it through to the last 32 of the Europa League.

He said: "Villarreal will be a very tough match. They are a complete team with plenty of quality and experience." Defender Guglielmo Stendardo misses out for Lazio after suffering a blow to the knee during the 1-1 draw with Siena at the weekend.

Villarreal vs Lazio

Last modified 22:22 05/11/09

Lazio stunned by Villarreal Villarreal kept their Europa League hopes alive with an incident-packed 4-1 victory over Lazio in Group G.

Robert Pires put the home side in front with less than two minutes gone and Lazio were reduced to 10 men moments later.

Ruben Cani (13) made it 2-0 and the game was effectively over when Pires scored his second from the penalty spot after 14 minutes.

Villarreal were also reduced to 10 men after 31 minutes when Gonzalo Rodriguez was dismissed, but Pasquale Foggia blasted the resulting penalty off the bar.

Mauro Zarate (73) did pull one back eventually but Giuseppe Rossi slotted home another penalty eight minutes from the end.

In a sensational start to the game, Tommaso Rocchi could have put Lazio in front after 47 seconds, but he saw his shot saved by Diego Lopez.

And with just one minute 50 seconds on the clock, the visitors found themselves behind in comical circumstances.

Pires whipped in a long-range free-kick which was missed by everyone in the area, including team-mates Joseba Llorente and Nilmar, before bouncing into the corner.

Worse was soon to follow for Lazio who were down to 10 men after just three minutes.

Roberto Baronio flung his left arm in the direction of Llorente's face and although contact looked minimal, Llorente threw himself to the floor in dramatic fashion.

It was an embarrassing reaction from the striker but enough to convince referee Knut Kircher, who produced a red card despite Lazio's protests.

Villarreal quickly took advantage of their numerical superiority, Cani collecting a pass from Pires and creating enough space for himself to fire into the bottom corner from just outside the area.

And barely a minute later it was 3-0 as Modibo Diakite was penalised for a foul on Nilmar and Pires scored from the spot, despite goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri getting a hand to the ball.

Lazio wasted a glorious chance to get back into the game after Gonzalo Rodriguez brought down Rocchi as he bore down on goal and, as the last defender, could have few complaints to see referee Kircher brandishing a red card.

That meant both sides were down to 10 men but Pasquale Foggia was unable to reduce the deficit from the spot, smashing a left-foot shot against the bar.

Villarreal were forced to make a change early in the second half, substitute goalkeeper Xabi Oliva replacing Lopez.

Lazio had also brought on Zarate after 52 minutes and the Argentinian striker gave Lazio hope of an unlikely comeback when he fired home following Pereira Eliseu's pass from the byline.

But Villarreal made sure of the win with a fourth goal after 82 minutes when Stefano Mauri was penalised for bringing down Cani.