Emery to make changes

Posted Thursday, September 17, 2009 by PA

Valencia coach Unai Emery will ring the changes for Thursday's Europa League opener against Lille despite seeing his side make it four wins on the bounce at the weekend.

Los Che have been in fine recent form both domestically and on the continent, thrashing Stabaek 7-1 to make it through to the group stages of the Europa League and then netting six more goals in defeating Sevilla and Real Valladolid in their opening two La Liga outings.

However, Emery will freshen things up for the game in Lille with at least a couple of changes to the side that downed Valladolid 4-2 on Sunday.

Spain international David Silva, who netted his side's opener, has been omitted from Emery's 19-man travelling squad, as has defender Alexis, who also started the Valladolid match. Also missing from the party are injured trio Vicente Rodriguez, Asier Del Horno and Ruben.

One player hoping to get the chance to impress is veteran goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez, who has had to play second-fiddle to summer signing Miguel Moya so far this season.

"You must always be looking for your opportunities, be it in the league, in Europe or whatever competition," he said.

"You must always have the feeling that at any moment you could play, and therefore be ready for when the coach thinks it's right to give you the opportunity. So I'm ready, as I always have been."

Valencia have not only been in good recent form, but the 2004 UEFA Cup champions are also in a hot streak in Europe with their last defeat coming 13 games ago.

Lille have not been as successful at the start of their own league campaign as Los Che, although Rudi Garcia's men finally picked up their first Ligue 1 win at the fifth attempt at the weekend.

After taking just one point from their opening four matches, Lille downed Sochaux 1-0 at home thanks to Pierre-Alain Frau's strike 19 minutes from time.

Lille have tasted victory in Europe though, winning all four games against Sevojno and Genk on their way into the Europa League group stages.