VILLARREAL - Villarreal captain Josico has targeted a first-place finish in the UEFA Cup group stage despite the club being handed one of the toughest pools on paper.
Villarreal will face AEK Athens, Fiorentina, Elfsborg and Mlada Boleslav in Group C as they look to re-live recent European glories which saw them reach the Champions League semi-finals just 18 months ago.
Greek outfit AEK and last season's Swedish champions Elfsborg both started this term in the Champions League, where they lost in the third qualifying round to Spanish sides Sevilla and Valencia respectively, while Fiorentina are currently one of only two unbeaten teams in Serie A after seven rounds.
Czech side Mlada Boleslav have also proven themselves to be dangerous opponents after dumping out another Italian team, Palermo, in the previous round of the UEFA Cup.
It is a tricky assignment for Villarreal, but Josico is confident of a successful conclusion for his side.
"It is a group that I like. If we want to be champions or go very far in the tournament it is a very good group," he said.
"Although it includes Fiorentina and AEK, who are very strong and difficult teams, I believe we must think about first place."
Villarreal have been one of Spain's most in-form teams recently and before Sunday's 3-2 defeat at Osasuna they had won 15 out of their previous 16 competitive matches.
"If we play like we have been doing we should not have any difficulties getting through the round," added midfielder Josico on his club's website.
