Athletic: Iraizoz; Iraola, San José,
Ekiza, Koikili (Gabilondo 79'); Orbaiz, Javi Martínez; David
López (Urko Vera 62'), De Marcos (Susaeta 67'), Muniain; Llorente.
4-2-3-1.
Villarreal: Diego López; Mario Gaspar,
Gonzalo, Musacchio, Català; Cazorla (Cani 70'), Marchena, Bruno, Borja
Valero (Kiko 82'); Marco Rubén, Rossi (Wakaso 86'). 4-4-2.
Goals:
0-1. 58. Marco Rubén. Steered header wide of
Iraizoz from Borja Valero cross.
Yellow cards: Iraizoz 32', San José 65', Marco Rubén 92'.
Villarreal's great season continues, and they are up to third in table after a 0-1 victory over sixth placed Athletic Bilbao on Sunday evening. The first half though belonged to the locals, with Llorente going close a couple of times early on and Diego López having to save from Muniain and David López. However with just under an hour on the clock Marco Rubén got clear of his marker to head Borja Valero's cross past Iraizoz, and only a good save by the Bilbao keeper prevented Cazorla from scoring a second a few minutes later. Athletic kept up the fight to the end, Llorente coming close to equalising when Diego López turned his header round the post. But this was not their night, and after qualifying for the last eight of the Europa League a few days ago, Juan Carlos Garrido's side go rolling on to what looks like a sure place in next season's Champions League.