Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde admits he regards Villarreal as a direct rival.

Athletic go to Villarreal on Sunday with Valverde rating them as direct opponents for a European place.

"It's true that last year was a difficult game for us. We know their power and it's always been difficult to go and play at their ground. But we'll try to be strong and try to start winning on the road again," he said.

"Everyone around us is a direct rival. In this league, you can't afford to be complacent. It's 90 minutes.

"We're playing at a ground that's not easy for us, but we have to keep moving forward."