STEVE Diamond has been quick to keep a lid on expectations after last weekend's 19-14 win over Bristol Bears, saying his Worcester Warriors side are "more like Aston Villa than Barcelona".

Diamond reported that the mood in camp was high this week after Worcester ended a run of five straight Gallagher Premiership defeats.

But Warriors host reigning champions Harlequins tonight at Sixways in the league and Diamond knows that if discipline continues to be an issue, it will be a result that will bring everyone crashing back down to earth.

Warriors have been penalised 32 times this season for being offside, the most of any side in this season’s Premiership; they also rank third for penalties conceded overall (201).

"There was a spring in everyone's step on Monday and the lads were also relieved," he said.

"It’s difficult to build team spirit when you lose on a regular basis.

"I brought them down to earth though. One or two were walking around like they were playing for Barcelona. I had to remind them that we are more like Aston Villa at the moment.

"Harlequins from turnover ball they are very good.

"Last week in the second quarter we gave several penalties away and with Danny Care against us this week, if we do the same again, we will be under the sticks and not knowing what has happened."

Quins are without their England trio of loosehead prop Joe Marler, number eight Alex Dombrandt and fly-half superstar Marcus Smith but still have a side to be feared.

The back-line includes the likes of former 84-cap England scrum-half Danny Care, the South African battering ram centre that is Andre Esterhuizen and Joe Marchant on the wing, who was released from the England camp this week.

With Scotland's Huw Jones also in the midfield and Tyrone Green at full-back, Quins have all the weapons to hurt Worcester.

But they have struggled lately, with their thrilling 29-24 win over Wasps at the Stoop ending a three match losing run to Saracens, Sale and Bath.

They have also not won at Sixways for five years and if that record remains on Friday, Worcester could leapfrog Bristol and Newcastle into 10th place.