Senna still has plenty to give Villarreal despite his age
Published:Marcos Senna feels that he can still play an important role in helping Villarreal witness success this season despite the fact that he is not getting any younger.
The 34-year-old managed 79 minutes as Villarreal failed to get their La Liga campaign off to a winning start when they were defeated 1-0 at newly-promoted Real Sociedad on the opening day.
They host Espanyol next, where they are 4/5 to collect the win, and Senna feels that he still has the attributes to be a regular member of the first team under coach Juan Carlos Garrido.
AS reports that he said: “I’m the first person to realise that I’m not a kid anymore, but I can still bring many things to this club.
“I think I’m strong and well enough to play under the same conditions as my teammates. Veterans have a greater responsibility and we know it, so we have to work harder and lead by example.”
There has only been one goal in the last four meetings between Villarreal and Espanyol, with both fixtures last season ending goalless.
It is 6/1 for Senna’s team to win 1-0 this time, while the 0-0 draw is available at 8/1.
Villarreal are also 125/1 to win La Liga, but may lack the squad depth to challenge the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, particularly as talk is strong that star striker Giuseppe Rossi is eager to seal a move to Italy in January.
However, they may fancy their chances of reaching the latter stages of the Europa League and are 16/1 to win their first piece of European silverware outside of the Intertoto Cup.
They have been drawn in Group D for the early stages of the competition alongside PAOK, Club Bruges and Dinamo Zagreb and are 1/2 to progress to the knockout stages as group winners.
Espanyol are 3/1 to continue Villarreal’s miserable start and leave El Madrigal with maximum points. See the whole Villarreal vs Espanyol match betting market.
