Villarreal: Sergio Asenjo; Mario Gaspar, Gabriel, Víctor Ruíz, Jaume Costa; Jonathan Dos Santos (Moi Gómez 80‘), Tomás Pina, Bruno, Cheryshev; Vietto (Gerard Moreno 82‘), Uche (Giovani 68‘). 4-4-2.
Athletic: Gorka Iraizoz; De Marcos, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga; San José, Mikel Rico (Iturraspe 67’); Susaeta, Unai López (Ibai Gómez 76’, Viguera (Iñaki Williams 67‘); Aduríz. 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 43. Cheryshev. Pulled down Víctor Ruíz pass and rounded keeper to score.
2-0. 83. Bruno (penalty). After De Marcos blocked Jaume Costa cross with arm.
Yellow cards: Etxeita 54’, Bruno 56’, San José 76’, Cheryshev 77’.
Villarreal stay in sixth spot, still just three points behind third placed Valencia, after a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday evening. The first chance fell to the visitors, Asenjo having to save from Aduríz following a corner, but Vietto got free twice after that, the first time coming up against Iraizoz, and the second being tackled by Laporte. Unai López headed just wide at the other end, but with half time looming Cheryshev pulled down a long ball from Víctor Ruíz and ran on round the keeper to score. After the interval the locals came close from a couple of corners, Uche ruled offside when he steered the first one into the net, and Mikel Rico turning the second one against his own crossbar. Youngster Iñaki Williams brought a good save out of Asenjo, but with seven minutes to go De Marcos blocked a Jaume Costa cross with his arm in the area, and Bruno drilled home the resulting penalty.