First Division - Day 31

Villarreal 3 - Athletic Bilbao 1

Villarreal: Andrés; Mario, Musacchio, Víctor Ruíz, Jaume Costa; Samu Castillejo (Adrián López 37’), Bruno, Trigueros, Roberto Soriano; Bakambu (Sansone 72’), Soldado (Alvaro 76’). 4-4-2.
Athletic: Kepa; De Marcos, Yeray, Laporte, Balenziaga; San José, Beñat (Iturraspe 59’); Williams (Susaeta 81’), Raúl García, Lekue (Muniain 59’); Aduríz. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 17. Víctor Ruíz. Following up after Yeray deflected Samu shot on to post.
1-1. 20. Laporte. Drilled angled shot wide of Andrés from long Beñat corner.
2-1. 47. Bakambu. Picked up Roberto Soriano pass and held off marker to score.
3-1. 58. Adrián. Header from close up after Ruíz headed over Trigueros free kick.

Yellow cards: Beñat 22’, Laporte 25’, Roberto Soriano 53’, Bakambu 53’, Mario 64’, Bruno 74’, Iraizoz (on bench) 76’, Andrés 92’, Sansone 94’ / red cards: Víctor Ruíz 74’.

Villarreal consolidated fifth spot after a 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Friday evening. Fran Escribá’s side started the match a point ahead of their opponents in the table, and they went in front with just over a quarter of an hour gone when Víctor Ruíz turned the ball back past Kepa after Yeray had deflected a Samu Castillejo free kick on to his own post. Just three minutes later though Laporte drilled home the equalizer from a long Beñat corner, and with the first half coming to a close Aduríz headed against the crossbar. Just two minutes after the restart however Bakambu ran through to restore the lead, and some ten minutes later Adrián López headed a third after Víctor Ruíz headed across a long Trigueros free kick. Aduríz rattled the bar again and the visitors were left with ten men when Ruíz was red-carded for a bad tackle on Williams, but Andrés and his defence held on for a win which takes them to within four points of fourth placed Sevilla.