Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde was delighted after their 3-2 win at Villarreal.

Athletic were 3-0 up inside the opening half-hour, but had to survive a late fight-back to leave Villarreal with the points. Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta and the Williams brothers put the game beyond doubt, although goals from Gerard Moreno and Alexander Sorloth made it difficult in the last five minutes.

"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," said Valverde afterwards.

"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.

He added: "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."