Gonzalo Villar says he is happy to be important at Elche

“Being important at the club of my life is a source of happiness for me,” Gonzalo Villar said. The Elche midfielder spoke to the media on Thursday, discussing his place in Anselmi’s plans and the team’s current run.

Villar also said he hoped Pinatar’s complaint over Eze Ponce’s possible ineligible participation in the 3-1 Copa match would come to nothing. He said the players were focused on the game against Valencia and that the club’s legal department would interpret the rules. “We are confident that, because we won, we will be able to play in the next round,” he added. That confidence is not a ruling on the complaint.

The next fixture is against Valencia on Sunday. Elche hope to extend their good spell and secure their first home win in the league. Villar believes the team is improving and noted that it had taken eight points from the last 12 available. He also said the situation makes it easier to work, while stressing that his confidence had remained unchanged when results were worse.

The midfielder explained that Elche had taken the lead in both of its away wins. At home, he said, the team still needs to get in front. Last season, it won only one match after coming from behind. He also said that last season’s game against Valencia had been a turning point. A win on Sunday would, in his view, move Elche further clear of the relegation zone, which the team has now left.

Villar expects a difficult contest and described Valencia as wounded after letting an advantage slip against Villarreal. He hopes for a more open game, rather than a closed one, and said an early goal would be welcome. He does not think Elche’s Copa game, while Valencia did not play in the competition, will make a difference: in his view, the players who had played fewer minutes put in an excellent performance.

Speaking about his own situation, Villar said he feels very comfortable. Since arriving in the second half of last season, he has been given many opportunities. He said he wants to keep improving and adapting to what the team asks of him.