Q&AThe inside track on Champions League opponents Villarreal

The Reds defeated Everton in the Merseyside derby in Premier League action on Sunday afternoon but quickly turn their attention back to European matters this evening in L4.

Here, Liverpoolfc.com chats to journalist Aitor Aguirre about what to expect from the La Liga side over the two-legged encounter…

Aitor, thank you for talking to us. How do you assess Villarreal’s season so far overall? It has been quite a story in the Champions League…

This has been an historic and wonderful season for Villarreal. In the Spanish league, the team started badly and has had many problems, such as injuries to Gerard Moreno, the most important player in attack. I think they have the capabilities to be higher up in La Liga.

However, in the Champions League they are showing their most competitive level. They have beaten two giants in Juventus and Bayern Munich and have returned to the Champions League semi-finals 16 years after the last time they were there. The fans are, understandably, very excited.

It was a big win over Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. How important was that victory for the club? It certainly made huge headlines…

It's incredible what Villarreal is doing in the Champions League because it's been 10 years since they played in this competition. They really have done something special. I can only compare it to the Premier League that Leicester City won in 2016.

In the group stage, Villarreal played good football and deserved more against Manchester United but unfortunately lost both matches. In the last match, they beat Italian team Atalanta BC and qualified for the round of 16. They then eliminated Juventus in Turin with an epic end to the match, scoring three goals in the final 12 minutes to progress.

In the quarter-finals, against a hugely favoured Bayern Munich, Villarreal won at La Ceramica and was able to score. In Munich, they suffered a lot but Samuel Chukwueze's goal in the 88th minute qualified them for the semi-finals – it was truly historic.

If you had to pick out a dangerman for Villarreal, who should Liverpool be looking out for across the two games?

Gerard Moreno. Even without Gerard, Villarreal is a very solid team in defence and with a lot of quality in attack. Arnaut Danjuma is a very dangerous player – fast and able to score. Giovani Lo Celso played wonderfully against Bayern Munich and Dani Parejo is very important in midfield together with Etienne Capoue.

In defence, Raul Albiol and Pau Torres are at a very high level, as well as goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli. It is a very complete team from front to back.

Unai Emery is well known in England from his time at Arsenal – can you tell us a little bit about his spell with Villarreal so far?

Unai Emery arrived at Villarreal after spells at Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain – two European giants. The club wanted to improve and with Unai Emery they have achieved it. In his first year he won Villarreal's first title – the Europa League against Manchester United. It is something fantastic for him, too, because he had never reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League before in his career.

He plays a very varied style because he tries to come out playing from the goalkeeper to try to break the rival's lines. He can play a possession-based game but also a counter-attack, depending on the opponent. Against teams like Bayern Munich, he defends with many players close to the goal. He adapts very well to big rivals. Emery is seen as a scholar at Villarreal.

What was the view in Villarreal when the draw against Liverpool was confirmed? It should be a great atmosphere in both games…

Playing against Liverpool is wonderful, they are probably the best team in Europe. Also, it's the city of The Beatles. They sang Yellow Submarine and it is a song that represents Villarreal. Many fans will travel to enjoy a great day in Liverpool at one of the best stadiums in Europe – Anfield.

Six years ago the two clubs faced each other in the semi-finals of the Europa League, where Liverpool came from behind to reach the final. Villarreal want a rematch.

Lastly, Jürgen Klopp recently spoke about the threat that Villarreal pose and said he was excited by the challenge. Is that replicated in Spain?

Yes, Klopp is a humble and respectful coach. In Villarreal they know that Liverpool are favourites to advance to the final, but they also know that they have nothing to lose and that this is a unique opportunity to continue making history.