Serra Ferrer takes AEK to the brink

Lorenzo Serra Ferrer's AEK Athens FC can make certain of a place in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 with a win against Villarreal CF in their final Group C fixture.

• Third in the section, AEK drew their opening games 1-1, at eliminated IF Elfsborg and at home against ACF Fiorentina, before winning 1-0 at FK Mladá Boleslav on Matchday 4. A win against Villarreal in Athens would now guarantee them a place in the last 32, regardless of the result of Thursday's other Group C game between Fiorentina and Mladá Boleslav.

• Villarreal are already through, and top Group C following a 1-1 draw with Fiorentina and with wins against Mladá Boleslav and Elfsborg. However, they need a win to be certain of finishing top of the section.

• Group winners will meet sides placed third in other UEFA Cup groups in the Round of 32, playing the second legs at home. Second-placed sides will play sides finishing third in the UEFA Champions League groups, also playing the second legs at home.

• AEK left-back Rodolfo Arruabarrena will be up against a number of former team-mates having played for Villarreal between 2000 and 2007. The 32-year-old won the 2003 and 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cups with Villarreal, reached the semi-finals of the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League and made over 200 appearances in all competitions for the Yellow Submarine.

• AEK's coach Serra Ferrer knows an immense amount about Spanish football from his time as coach of RCD Mallorca, Real Betis Balompié and FC Barcelona.

• He has already been back to Spain this season, with his side losing out to Sevilla FC in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, losing 2-0 in Seville and 4-1 in Athens.

• The two teams have never met in UEFA club competition.

• In total, AEK have played 15 games against Spanish sides, winning two, drawing four and losing nine. Their seven home games against Primera División opposition have produced two wins, two draws and three defeats.

• Manuel Pellegrini's Villarreal have played just one game against Greek opposition, beating Egaleo FC 4-0 at home in the 2004/05 UEFA Cup group stage.

• Villarreal are unbeaten in their last eight UEFA Cup away games since losing 1-0 at Valencia CF in the 2003/04 semi-finals.

• AEK's Nikolaos Liberopoulous, Geraldo and Edson Ramos Silva are all within a booking of a one-match suspension, while Villarreal go into the game with no disciplinary worries.

• Fiorentina are at home against Mladá Boleslav in Thursday's other Group C game.

• The draw for the Round of 32 and Round of 16 will be held in Nyon on 21 December from 13.00CET.