In the ongoing battle for European football glory, Villarreal has found themselves in a bit of a predicament. The Spanish side, who have been one of the most consistent performers in La Liga this season, has struggled to maintain their form in Europe's premier club competition.

The first hurdle that Villarreal faced was the sudden departure of manager Marcelino. After just three months in charge, Marcelino was replaced by Unai Emery, a man with little experience in managing top-flight teams. This change in management led to some early struggles for Villarreal, as they failed to win any of their opening five games in the Europa League.

However, it wasn't all bad news for Villarreal. In those same opening five games, they also managed to pick up six points and finish in second place in their group stage group. This result earned them a spot in the round of 16, where they will now face off against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Despite their success in Europe, Villarreal's league form has not followed suit. They currently sit in seventh place in La Liga, two points behind fourth-placed Atlético Madrid. This is a far cry from the impressive performances they showed last season, when they finished second in the league and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.

There are several reasons why Villarreal's league struggles could be attributed to their Europa League distractions. Firstly, the pressure of playing at such a high level can take its toll on a team's performance in other competitions. Secondly, the demands of being a top-tier European club may require more resources than a lower-division side.

Regardless of the reasons, Villarreal must find a way to balance their efforts in both competitions if they hope to continue their successful run in Europe. With a strong squad and a dedicated coaching staff, there is no reason why they cannot bounce back and reclaim their position as one of the best teams in La Liga.