Howard and Mirallas generate excitement before Europa League start

Everton return to European football for the first time in four years Thursday night, and Tim Howard and Kevin Mirallas have high hopes for success for the Blues.

The American goalkeeper and Belgian midfielder were both quoted on the Everton website, Mirallas applauding the Toffee support for the away match at West Brom, and Howard detailing his ambition of winning a Europa League title this season.

Mirallas, who has two goals on the 2014-15 season, had this to say ahead of the matchup with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg:

"Now we must recover fitness quickly because we have a fantastic game against Wolfsburg. They are a very good team in the German league."

Mirallas went on to supply some bulletin board material for the visiting German team:

"Anything can happen in Europe, but at Goodison we're sure of a win."

Howard was nearly as confident in his summation of Everton's upcoming campaign:

"Not only should we just make Europe, we should make some noise and that’s what the gaffer wants to do. The fact that the winners get a Champions League spot is a small incentive for me. Lifting that cup would be brilliant."

How do you feel about Everton's chances in the Europa League? Are you as confident as Howard and Mirallas?