Valverde: "I'm expecting a very strong opponent"

Ernesto Valverde is convinced Athletic Club are about to take on a Villarreal CF side likely to be "towards the top" of the table come the end of the season.

After a run of mixed results, the gaffer wants his players to forget the past and focuses squarely on the challenge ahead.

"We've not been very fluid and we have difficulties when the opposition sit back," Valverde said. "It's a challenge posed by our opponents, and we must find a solution.

"In any case, tomorrow's match is against a different opponent. A very strong side, with impressive statistics and a contender to be towards the top of the table this season.

"They have moved on some big names, but they have also signed important players and have a large squad."

The Lions travel to the home of a Yellow Submarine team that have a lot of attacking talents. Marcelino's side have scored 12 goals in their first six LaLiga fixtures, including a 5-0 home win over Girona FC last month.

Valverde said: "I'm expecting a very difficult match. They're a great team, not only because of their results, but also because of their consistency

"We are facing an opponent with a strong forward line. They get forward a lot, have a very fast counter-attack and are difficult to score against."

The gaffer admitted it is "good news" that Athletic have registered Aymeric Laporte as a List A player in their Champions League squad.

"It's something we've been looking for. We were short on centre-backs," he added.

"We had signed up two more, just in case, and now we have another player who can help us in that part of the defence.  

"He still needs to get into better shape, but for us, he's already a player we can rely on."