Villarreal go all out for Porto win

Juan Carlos Garrido will make one last throw of the dice as Villarreal CF look to overturn a 5-1 first-leg defeat at FC Porto to reach the UEFA Europa League final.

The Spanish side came completely unstuck at the Estádio do Dragão last week despite leading 1-0 at the break, but − having won all seven of their European home games this season – will look to become only the fourth team to recover from a four-goal deficit in a UEFA club competition second leg.

"We will play our most attacking football," promised Garrido. "We are in the semi-final of a major competition. It is a very important game and we are looking to overturn that result to reach the final. We are the ones who can turn the tie around, and getting to the final is everyone's dream."

Defender José Catalá is suspended, while the Yellow Submarine will also be without Gonzalo (calf), Angel López (torn knee ligament) and Javier Oliva (wrist), although midfielder Marcos Senna is back after recovering from a hamstring injury. Carlos Marchena will feature having served a one-match ban in Sunday's 2-1 Liga defeat of Getafe CF.

"I believe in my team and everyone has enough motivation to achieve our goal," said Garrido. "We have beaten some very good teams in this competition, and football rewards winners. You have to exude confidence and demand the best. My players have put in a lot effort over the season, and the next step is to reach this final."

Mindful perhaps that Villarreal have twice scored five goals at home in Europe this term – most recently beating FC Twente 5-1 in the last eight − Porto coach André Villas-Boas has recalled goalkeeper Helton, Cristian Săpunaru and João Moutinho after they were rested for the Portuguese champions' 4-0 win against Vitória FC at the weekend.

The Dragons have more of a penchant for scoring five goals, though, having done so in their last three matches in this competition. With that in mind, and despite their sizeable lead, Villas-Boas has no intention of ordering his team to curtail their natural instincts.

"We will play our style of football and our philosophy: 4-3-3 with an attacking outlook, as we have been doing all season," he said. "Nothing is impossible and anything can happen in football but I have full confidence in my team."

Porto, adds Villas-Boas, will be ready for whatever Villarreal throw at them. "We are physically and mentally prepared for any situation in the game, as shown by our experience against big teams in big stadiums. I hope that if victory is achieved it becomes a victory for the whole country, and pride for all the players who form this team."