Athletic maintain their advantage in the race for Champions League football and win their season head-to-head with Villarreal
Athletic Club earned a precious point with a 0-0 draw at La Ceramica, where they were able to neutralise a dangerous Villarreal, and thus maintain their six-point advantage over Marcelino's side and the emerging Real Betis, who face each other in the next match.
The Lions were made to suffer during the first half. Villarreal had the clear upper hand and beseiged a solid Unai Simón, who notched a third clean sheet in a row.
A Gorka Guruzeta header aside, the Castellon-based outfit dominated the early exchanges. Sergi Cardona, Ayoze Pérez and Tajon Buchanan all tested the Zurigorri goalkeeper.
Yuri Berchiche picked up a knock and was replaced by Adama Boiro in the 34th minute.
Athletic almost made it 0-1 against the run of play towards the end of the half. Guruzeta and Nico Williams launched a counter-attack, but Iñaki couldn't get on the end of his brother's cross.
In the second half, Athletic pressed better and suffered less.
Thierney Barry had a goal ruled out by VAR for a handball in the build-up, and Pape Gueye was also sent off after a review due to a robust challenged on Maroan Sannadi in the 81st minute.
The Lions threw the kitchen sink at Villarreal as the fourth official added on an extra eight minutes. Maroan had a shot blocked by a defender and Dani Vivian went close with a header that Luíz Junior turned away for a corner.
Just in the year in which the Cup title was achieved, Athletic have taken one more step towards the Champions League. However, there's still is a long way to go yet and a lot of points remain up for grabs.
Now it's time to focus on our clash with Rangers FC in Glasgow. That will be another tough battle.
