Valverde: "This win means a lot"

Ernesto Valverde was delighted to see Athletic Club return to winning ways with a thrilling 2-3 away win over Villarreal CF on Sunday evening.

Without a win in two, Los Leones blew the Yellows out of the water with three goals in the first 30 minutes. Villarreal fought back with two strikes in the final five minutes, but Athletic held on to take three important points on the road.

"It means a lot. When you are on a run without a victory, it's important to get back to winning ways. And it's a ground we don't usually do too well at," the gaffer said in his post-match press conference.

"I think we played a great game overall. After the first goal we dominated and kept pushing forward. In the second half, our plan was to stay close to the opponents' area while not letting them hit us back.

Although Athletic conceded two late goals late on to give Villarreal a glimmer of hope, the boss was philosophical about the situation given the Zurigorri eventually took the win.

He said: "It's not just us, it happens to everyone. Football matches throw up a succession of emotions which you have to control. In the same way we've come from behind to win in the past, so can the opposition."