Villarreal defender Jaume Costa has claimed that his team will need to be at their best to beat Valencia at the weekend.

Both sides return to La Liga action from the international break at the Mestalla on Sunday in a clash that could be significant in the race for European football this season.

Valencia are currently third, 11 points above sixth-placed Villarreal, who have Malaga breathing down their necks in seventh.

"We're going to come up against tough opponents that are also very sharp in front of goal. I've watched all of their games and they score easily, which means we'll have to be strong at the back and take our chances," Costa has been quoted by AS.

"This past month has been tough because we've been knocked out of two competitions against difficult opponents. It's taken its toll on us a little bit but now we have to think about the passionate game we've got coming up against Valencia. We'll fight for three very important points.

"Winning at the Mestalla would be great and would lift our spirits, but the most important thing is that it would be good for the team in the last part of the league campaign."

Villarreal have won just one of their last five games in all competitions.