Villarreal midfielder Robert Pires has jumped to the defence of coach Ernesto Valverde.

Valverde finds himself under huge pressure with Villarreal struggling to find form since his appointment.

"We have been unlucky in both the Europa League and in the championship, because we played well but without getting good results," said Pires. "The coach has not changed anything.

"We have the same players and the same training program. When you suffer a series of negative results, it is hard to get out, but we'll make it."