Houllier confident of top-flight survival

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier insists his relegation-threatened side can find form and retain their Premier League status.

Fans were livid after Villa lost 1-0 at home to local rivals Wolves last time out which leaves them just one point above the bottom three.

Houllier thinks his players need to relax more when they play at Everton on Saturday.

He said: “We can play much better than we did against Wolves and it has been a tough time.”

“I felt we weren’t relaxed enough. In the coming games we need to be more relaxed because you need fluency.”

“We didn’t seem to have the passing and the movement in that Wolves match.”

“That’s why it created a frustrating game really.”

“Even when you are 1-0 down at home you should be able to come back into the game and win it. We had a few chances but not enough.”

Houllier said preparations for the trip to Goodison Park has been disrupted by last week’s international break.

“Now, as we look forward to Everton some of the players have gone on international duty – half are here and half are away – but we will get back together and obviously we know where the land lies.”

“We don’t lie to each other. We know how we stand and the difficulty of the task but the best way is to focus on our game and the results will take care of themselves.”

“We have ability. We’ve got the strength. We’re just going through a hard time.”

Villa will be without defenders Richard Dunne (shoulder) and Luke Young (knee).

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Martinez sets Wigan survival target

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has set his Wigan Athletic side a target of 40 points if they are to stay in the Premier League.

The Latics face a tough run of matches over the next month, beginning with a visit from league leaders Manchester United on Saturday.

Martinez’s side are only one point adrift of safety with 27 from 27 games so far this season, and the manager is eyeing a better return from their remaining 11 matches.

“I think everyone has a good amount of points in the bottom eight positions, and that it’s going to go down to the games they are involved in with teams in those positions,” Martinez said.

“I just feel that 40 points is probably going to be the tally needed to stay in the Premier League, which is a big one if you compare it to last year.”

Wigan will be looking to take their first ever point off United in 12 attempts since being promoted to the top flight in 2005.

Despite their horrible run against United, Martinez is confident his side can get something out of Saturday’s encounter.

“I think it’s about ourselves. If we are not perfect, if we are not performing as good as we can you haven’t really got a chance against a side like Manchester United,” he said.

“But I feel that in the form we are enjoying at the moment and with the support of our fans, we have got a real chance to overcome two big challenges, which is the team we’ve got in front of us and historically it will be the first time we’ve got something out of Man United.”

Martinez has almost a clean bill of health ahead of the game, with Emmerson Boyce and Callum McManaman the only doubts.

“Emmerson Boyce is the only one we have to assess and then make a decision if he can be involved,” Martinez said.

“Apart from him, Callum McManaman suffered a nasty cut against Bolton, but he is going to be joining the group tomorrow, so apart from Boycey and Callum everyone is fit and available.”

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Europa League preview: Villarreal, Dortmund vie for survival

Villarreal host Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday in a crucial Group D battle which could decide who advances to the Europa League knockout stages.

The La Liga side head into the tie with the Croatian champions in the knowledge that defeat, coupled with victory for PAOK over Brugge in the other Group D encounter, would end their hopes of qualification.

Yet Villarreal defender Joan Capdevila is not only confident of progressing into the last 32, but has his sights set on winning the trophy.

“We don’t really have any star players but the experienced guys have already played very important matches with the national team and with the club in European competitions which is crucial especially at key moments and in critical situations. They push the young guys on,” Capdevila told uefa.com.

“Maybe nobody really reckons with us, but our objective is to win the Europa League. Atletico de Madrid did it last season so why can’t we emulate that?”

Dinamo, who have failed to score on Spanish soil during their only two attempts, top the group on seven points, equal with PAOK and one point ahead of Villarreal.

BATE Borisov have already qualified for the knockout stages, but will aim to finish their Group E campaign on a high when they host Dynamo Kiev.

The Belarusian champions can guarantee top spot in the group with a win or a low-scoring draw, but their Ukrainian opponents will be desperate to book their place in the final 32 with victory on Thursday.

Sheriff and AZ Alkmaar will face off in a battle for survival in the remaining Group E fixture, with the winner maintaining hope of a top-two finish should Kiev lose or draw, while the loser will be eliminated.

A draw would see both sides eliminated from the tournament.

Russian powerhouse CSKA Moscow will aim to register their fifth consecutive win of the campaign when they host Swiss side Lausanne Sports in Group F.

Serie A side Palermo can keep their slim chances of qualification alive when they host Sparta Praha in the group’s other fixture.

Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla will fight for top spot in Group J when they do battle in France, while Borussia Dortmund will hope to keep their European campaign alive with victory over Karpaty.

In Group K, Liverpool host Steaua Bucharest, while Napoli and Utrecht face off in the Netherlands with both sides looking for their maiden Europa League win this campaign.

Porto can wrap up first place in Group L when they travel to Rapid Vienna, while Besiktas will secure qualification to the knockout stages with victory over CSKA Sofia in Bulgaria.

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