Gary Neville faces a momentous four days when his Valencia side take on Villarreal in a New Years Eve derby followed by Real Madrid's visit to the Mestalla on Sunday.

Aside from victory over third tier Barakaldo in the Copa del Rey, Los Che are yet to win a game under their new head coach, but the former England and Manchester United defender will hope to end 2015 on a high with a win at El Madrigal.

Neville believes his ninth-placed side have what it takes to finish the season in the top four and put a run together in the latter stages of the Europa League and King's Cup.

"I know there are strong sides in both cup competitions but we have to be ambitious," Neville said.

"I was never defeatist as a player and I have not changed. We finished fourth last season so that has to be the aim."

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Neville knows he must address his side's defensive frailties though.

They have not been able to keep a clean sheet on the road since early September and three of his first choice defenders are injury doubts for Thursday's fixture.

Shkodran Mustafi has been troubled by a hamstring strain while left back Jose Gaya has a groin strain and Aymen Abdennour returned from the mini-Christmas break with a cold.

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The Yellow Submarine are on a run of three consecutive wins in the league and are eight points ahead of their regional rivals, sitting just outside the Champions League places.

Marcelino's side have already shocked both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid and will be a tough nut to crack having won eight of their last 10 La Liga matches on home soil.