Villarreal's 7 Premier League flops looking to cause Champions League upset vs Liverpool

There could be a host of familiar faces on show when Villarreal take on Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Unai Emery has rebuilt his reputation in charge of the Yellow Submarine following bruising spells with Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. The former Sevilla boss has been rewarded for turning down Newcastle United earlier this season with a remarkable run to the last four.

Aside from Emery, there is a noticeable Premier League flavour to the Villarreal side which will be looking to defy the odds once again on Merseyside. Here is a look at the seven former top-flight stars who could be lining up against Liverpool on Wednesday night.

The first of four former Tottenham players in Emery's squad, Aurier signed a two-year deal with Villarreal in October after agreeing to a mutual termination of his deal in north London. The Ivory Coast international spoke of the need for a 'new challenge', and was allowed to depart following the summer arrival of Emerson Royal.

The French midfielder was one of the seven players signed by Tottenham in the aftermath of Gareth Bale's record move to Real Madrid. Now 33, Capoue followed up by two years with Spurs by spending six seasons with Watford, before signing for Villarreal last year.

The former Arsenal prospect was famously dismissed as out of his depth by Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson after the 8-2 thrashing in 2011. Coquelin spent a decade with the Gunners, and signed for Villarreal in 2020 after two seasons with Valencia.

The Argentina international signed a new contract with Tottenham in 2020 before going on to enjoy an impressive season-long loan spell with Villarreal, helping Emery's side lift the Europa League. The temporary