Valencia defender Alexis has hailed the contribution of new coach Unai Emery ahead of their trip to newly-promoted Malaga.

They travel south to face Malaga on Thursday with seven points from their first three matches, and sitting top of the table on goal difference from Almeria, Villarreal and Espanyol.

The club plummeted down the table in the latter half of last term after Quique Sanchez Flores was sacked and replaced by Ronald Koeman, who caused divisions within the squad by dropping veterans David Albelda, Santiago Canizares and Miguel Angel Angulo.

The Dutchman lasted until just after they won the Copa del Rey in April, and Voro Gonzalez coached the side through the last few games.

The arrival of 36-year-old Emery from Almeria has been a breath of fresh for the side, and in their opening games it has been clear the team function as a tight unit once again - with Albelda and Angulo back on board. Canizares has semi-retired.

"Sometimes these things happen with a side, but it is completely different this year. Everything is going well," said Alexis.

"Emery gets on well with the whole squad, treats everyone the same, and in return everyone is committed to the cause.

"When there is a good spirit in the dressing room you can see the results on the pitch."

Emery has a number of injury problems for Thursday, the main one surrounding leading striker David Villa who has been carrying a strained ankle.

The Spain international played against Osasuna last weekend, and set up the game's only goal for Juan Mata, but has been having treatment all week.

Midfielders David Silva and Ruben Baraja are injured but defender Carlos Marchena and winger Vicente could return.

Malaga's return to the top flight has not gone as well as they had hoped, and a lack of goals sees them second bottom in the standings with one point from three games.

A 4-0 hammering at Atletico Madrid, a goalless draw at home to Athletic Bilbao, and a 1-0 defeat away to south coast rivals Almeria has already got the players talking of the need to avoid panic.

"We have to remain optimistic. The defeat in Almeria was a setback but we now have two home games on the trot which are very important," said forward Fernando.

"The team has a lot of room for improvement but you can't make a judgment after only three games.

"We need to take it step by step looking for little improvements each time."

Midfielder Miguel Angel is suspended after receiving a straight red card against Almeria, but midfielder Apono, striker Salva Ballesta and defender Adriano Rossato have all returned to training and could make the squad.