Since the UEFA Cup group stage came to an end in December, Villarreal have been eliminated from the Copa del Rey and fallen 14 points behind league leaders Real Madrid.

With a finish in the Primera Liga Champions League berths not guaranteed, Cazorla believes Europe's second-tier competition represents Villarreal's best chance of ending the season on a high note.

"Progressing in the UEFA Cup is key to Villarreal, and so we'll go [to Russia] determined and expecting to do well against Zenit," he said.

"We're well aware we face a difficult side and some special conditions, given the snow and the cold.

"It's going to be a tough game for many reasons."

Villarreal travel to Russia for the first leg on Wednesday on the back of a hard-fought 1-0 win at Murcia last weekend.

Coach Manuel Pellegrini will also be boosted by Angel Lopez's anticipated return to fitness after a knee injury.

"I'm still not completely recovered, but I'm hoping that things will continue to improve and that I'll be able to play," Lopez said.

Ironically, Zenit will also jet in from Spain to contest the first leg in St Petersburg.

The Russian league leaders are in the middle of their winter break and have spent the past week at a training camp in Malaga.

They have no injuries to report, with Kim Dong-jin expected to be fit after picking up a knock in a friendly match.

However, Zenit will be light at the back, with Martin Skrtel and Eric Hagen leaving the club for England in January and new signing Tomas Hubocan not registered to play in the UEFA Cup.

To add to coach Dick Advocaat's woes, Nicolas Lombaerts is suspended, so Ivica Krizanac looks set to be partnered in the centre of defence by Roman Shirokov, who usually operates in midfield.

However, the former FC Khimki man is unfazed by his switch to the backline.

"Our understanding improves with every game and every training session," said Shirokov. "There are no problems, only small details to work on.

"Mentally I have fitted into the new position quite quickly."