Valverde: “We have to tackle this situation head on”

Ernesto Valverde reiterated that Athletic are desperate to turn around their poor run of form after falling to a 1-2 loss against Villarreal in Bilbao.

Marcelino's side scored two first-half goals, and while Gorka Guruzeta pulled one back late on, the damage was already done.

"We need to tackle this situation head on, and that’s what we’re trying to do," the gaffer said in his post-match press conference.

"We desperately need the points, and there’s a lot of pressure – that’s only natural. When you're involved in football, you're always looking down and in all directions.

"It’s good that there’s pressure and that people are holding us to account."

The gaffer said nerves and anxiety were responsible for the players lack of cutting edge in the final third.

He said: "Villarreal a very good side, and the way they play, they're always a threat. We were a bit anxious when we pushed forward, we had chances, but it just wasn't to be."