Santi Cazorla insists Villarreal are behind coach Ernesto Valverde, who is under pressure following a dismal start to the season.

Valverde replaced Manuel Pellegrini this summer and enjoyed a hugely successful pre-season with his new club, but it has been largely all downhill for the former Espanyol and Olympiacos boss since then.

In the Primera Division Villarreal have taken just three points from their opening seven games and replaced Xerez at the foot of the table on Sunday after losing 2-1 to the top-flight newcomers, while in the Europa League the 'Yellow Submarine' have won one and lost one in Group C.

Now Valverde faces a potentially crucial few days when Villarreal face Italian side Lazio in Europe on Thursday and then host Malaga in La Liga at the weekend, but Cazorla is adamant the players have not lost faith in the manager.

"We believe in the coach and we hope he continues for the whole season," said the Spain international today.

"His ideas are very good for the team. He is working well and we cannot think that if we lose against Malaga he could no longer be our coach.

"We are a little anxious because the games are going by and we are still at the bottom. If we win the next game we are going to climb the table and you cannot be nervous. At this stage of the season we cannot be thinking that we could be relegated."