Valencia begin the new Spanish season on Sunday relieved to have got through the summer with their squad intact.

The club's financial problems meant they were expected to be hit by the loss of their star players over the last couple of months.

However, Los Che have kept hold of the likes of David Villa, David Silva and Juan Mata, with defender Raul Albiol the only significant departure as he joined Real Madrid.

Boosted by the avoidance of any mass exodus at the Mestalla and with the worst of their financial problems seemingly behind them, Unai Emery is expecting his side to push for a Champions League spot this season.

Ahead of Sundays's opener at home to Sevilla, Emery told AS: "The players must live up to what is required for Valencia, which is to be fighting to be in the top four."

Emery's side cruised into the Europa League group stages with a 7-1 aggregate qualifying victory over Norway's Stabaek this week and besides the result, the most pleasing factor for the coach was a hat-trick from Venezuelan striker Miku in the 4-0 second-leg win.

"He has done very well and can play in several situations," said Emery.

"Every game is an opportunity to prove one's abilities and today Miku was a star. This will be good for his confidence, and for the team."

Emery admits the Mestalla pitch, ravaged by an unrelenting Spanish summer, is a matter for concern.

"We knew it has suffered, but it's not in good condition and was not easy to play on but you can't make excuses about the grass," he said.

Captain Carlos Marchena is expecting a tough start against a strong Sevilla outfit.

"They are in the Champions League on merit," he told valenciacf.com.

"You have to admire their season last year and their good team has been strengthened so it seems this season they will be up there again."

Marchena is certain Barcelona and Real Madrid will be the top two again this year.

"Barcelona and Real Madrid are predestined to rule in this league by obligation. They are two good teams, and from there will be the other teams."

Sevilla president Jose Maria Del Nido has sought to ease the pressure on his side ahead of the new campaign by playing down their title chances.

He said: "The title is a very complicated objective; those who have to win this title are the biggest teams, with the biggest budgets.

"However, we have a competitive team which should be able to fight with the biggest.

"We are able to fight with every team but I stress the fact that the teams who have an obligation to win titles and Real Madrid and Barcelona. We have to keep our feet on the ground."

Versatile winger Adriano is Sevilla's only major doubt while Villa, absent from Valencia's European squad, is expected to return to the fold.