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Villarreal and Sevilla look for all Spanish Europa League final

Xinhua, May 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Spanish sides Villarreal and Sevilla look to make it an all Spanish final in the Europa League when they play their respective semi-final return legs on Thursday night.

Indeed depending on Real Madrid's result at home to Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday, Spain could supply all four finalists of the Europa League and Champions League.

Villarreal will travel with high morale to Liverpool's mythical Anfield Stadium after confirming a place in the qualifying round for next season's Champions League at the weekend.

Marcelino Garcia's side defend a 1-0 lead and the Villarreal coach was able to rest players as his side defeated Valencia on Sunday.

He will take his entire squad to Liverpool and has central defender Eric Baily and striker Leo Baptistao available again after muscle injuries.

Liverpool meanwhile will look to maintain the spirit they have shown under Jurgen Klopp and Anfield will look for a repeat of the miraculous fightback against Borussia Dortmund in the last round.

Sevilla will be favorites to qualify for a third consecutive final after Unai Emery's side came back from Ukraine with a 2-2 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Seventh in the Spanish league table and assured of a return to the competition next season, Sevilla's recent form implies they are giving everything to their dream of conquering an incredible third Europa League crown and the Sanchez Pizjuan will be packed to the rafters for the game.

Sevilla are without midfielder Krohn-Dehli, who suffered a bad knee injury in Ukraine, while Jose Antonio Reyes is out after suffering appendicitis, but Emery will be putting his faith in striker Kevin Gameiro to score the goals and Ever Banega to pull the strings in midfield.

If Sevilla have disappointed of late in the Liga BBVA their cup form has been outstanding and reaching another European final would take the club and Emery to the verge of history. Endit