Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is delighted with their current form.

Atletico are embroiled in a race for third place with Sevilla and are seeking revenge for last season's Champions League final defeat by beating Real Madrid in the semi-final of the competition next month.

As Los Rojiblancos prepare to face Villarreal at the Estadio Vicente Calderon on Tuesday night, Simeone believes his side have hit form at the right time.

"The season has times that you have to get through," said the Argentine.

"All teams go through difficult stages and we had that at the start of this season and since the turn of the year we have been more regular, we'll see if we keep that up.

"I see it [this season] like every year, we are competing well both in our football and our physicality and I hope that we keep that up against a good footballing side with a very deep 4-4-2 formation that capitalises on opponents' mistakes with very good forwards.

"They [Villarreal] have Jonathan dos Santos, Castillejo, Bruno, Soriano... they are exceptional players.

"They've dropped a few points that distanced them from third place, but with the squad they have, they should be fighting for that. They have an identity, organisation and good forwards.

"We've got to take them to where we feel more comfortable and we are looking forward to playing at the Calderon with an atmosphere matching how the team is playing."