* Bayer Leverkusen have the meanest defence in the Europa League this season, conceding only two goals, both against Atletico Madrid in 1-1 draws home and away.
* Die Werkself recorded the biggest aggregate victory in the round of 32 when they beat Metalist Kharkiv 6-0.
* The German club have never lost a European encounter under Jupp Heynckes, a run which covers this campaign's efforts in the Europa League in which they have played 10 games.
* Leverkusen have met Spanish opposition in UEFA competition on 21 occasions, winning six, drawing five and losing 10.
* Both clubs won their respective groups, finishing on 12 points each and hitting the back of the net eight times.
* Villarreal's Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi is the competition's third top scorer with six goals. The former Manchester United man has 23 goals in all competitions, making him the Yellow Submarine's top scorer this season.
* The striker is also third on the list of players with the most shots on target in this season's Europa League, with 15 in total.
* Since the start of the group stages, Villarreal have picked up more yellow cards than any other teams, 21 to be precise.
* Villarreal and Leverkusen are both renowned for their relatively small yet intimidating stadiums. El Madrigal and the BayArena hold 25,000 and 30,210 respectively.
* El Submarino Amarillo will be disappointed to come into the round of 16 tie on the back of a disappointing 3-1 away defeat to Atletico Madrid, although the club are still on course to claim a place in next season's Champions League.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Bayer Leverkusen: Adler; Schwaab, Hyypia, Reinartz, Kadlec; Rolfes, Vidal; Sam, Renato Augusto, Castro; Derdiyok
Villarreal: Lopez; Mario, Gonzalo, Marchena, Capdevila; Bruno, Valero, Cani, Cazorla; Rossi, Nilmar
Prediction
Leverkusen 2-1 Villarreal 
