Villarreal welcomed Athletic Bilbao to El Madrigal on Saturday looking to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 15 games.
The home side led 1-0 at the interval courtesy of Denis Cheryshev, who struck three minutes before the break.
Both teams had chances in the second period, but it was Villarreal that made sure of the points that on courtesy of a penalty from Bruno.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from El Madrigal as in-form Villarreal welcome a struggling Athletic Bilbao side. Right, before we get down to the facts and figures ahead of the match, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news...
TEAMS
VILLARREAL: Asenjo; Mario, Gabriel, V.Ruiz, J.Costa; Bruno, Pina, J.Dos Santos; Cheryshev, Vietto, Uche
BILBAO: Iraizoz; De Marcos, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga; San Jose, Rico, Lopez; Susaeta, Viguera, Aduriz
So there we have it. Villarreal boss Marcelino has made a whole host of changes from the side that faced Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey during the week. Giovani dos Santos and Mateo Musacchio are among those that drop out of the XI, while Mario, Bruno, Jonathan dos Santos, Denis Cheryshev, Luciano Vietto and Ikechukwu Uche all return. There is also a place in midfield for the experienced Tomas Pina.
Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde has left Benat, Ander Iturraspe and Inaki Williams all on the bench, while Iker Muniain is not in the squad. There is a start for Borja Viguera, however, with the forward starting alongside Aritz Aduriz and Markel Susaeta. There is also a place in midfield for Unai Lopez.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, both have won one of the last five, with the further three ending in draws. The corresponding match last season ended in a 1-1 draw, but Bilbao did beat Villarreal 2-0 when the pair met at San Mames earlier in the 2013-14 season.
That said, Villarreal are unbeaten in their last nine home league games against Bilbao – winning seven times in the process. The Yellow Submarine will enter the match having not lost in their last 14 games in all competitions, with that run of form seeing them progress in the Europa League and Copa del Rey.
Villarreal have also had a strong league season, with 32 points from their 18 matches leaving them in sixth position in the table. Surprisingly, their top-four push has been built on brilliant away form – losing just once on the road, but they have already been beaten three times at El Madrigal this term.
Bilbao, however, will not be in the mood to offer sympathy. The Basque outfit, who finished fourth last season, have lost four of their last five in the league, with that run of form leaving them in 13th spot in the table – just three points outside of the bottom three. Last time out, they lost 2-1 at home to Elche.
Bilbao's away form this season has not been horrendous, but they have won just two of their nine matches, losing five times in the process. They have also managed just five goals on their travels this term. Should results go against them this weekend, Bilbao could find themselves in the relegation zone.
PREDICTION! In truth, I am finding it difficult to look past Villarreal. Bilbao are really struggling at the moment and it difficult to see where the goals are coming from. My score prediction is 2-0 Villarreal.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the field for the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. It is the home side that get the action underway.
As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Mario breaking down the right. You just get the feeling that the first goal - especially if it comes to Villarreal - will be crucial here. Bilbao's confidence is very, very fragile at the moment.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening four minutes, but Bilbao have carried a threat, with Susaeta threatening to run beyond Costa, but the Spaniard just makes a crucial challenge. The resulting corner eventually finds Balenziaga, but his effort is straight at Sergio Asenjo.
Possession football from the home side, but they are finding it difficult to break through in the early moments. Looking at Villarreal's bench this evening is an indication of their strength this season.
Half-chance for the home side as Cheryshev delivers a deep cross towards the far post, but San Jose is on hand to make the clearance. Vietto threatens to break onto a Bruno header moments later, but the Argentine had just moved into an offside position. Still goalless with eight minutes played.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the early stages here, with both sides just trying to find their way into the match. Bilbao have managed to settle with a period of possession, but you worry where the goals are coming from. They have really struggled to score on the road this season.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last minute or two following a couple of late challenges, but there have not been any bookings in the opening 13 minutes here.
Viguera finds some space outside the Villarreal box before curling one towards goal, but it was always comfortable for Asenjo, who immediately looked to release Vietto down the other end.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Bilbao to open the scoring as a corner falls nicely for Aduriz inside the box, but Asenjo is on hand to make an excellent save. That really should have been 1-0.
Vietto leads a counter for the home side before releasing Uche, but the Nigerian was in an offside position. Bilbao are down the other end moments later, but Aduriz cannot find a teammate outside the box.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Vietto breaks away from the Bilbao defence before striking towards goal, but Iraizoz stands strong to make a fine save. Chances at either end.
Decent spell of possession for Bilbao in the last couple of moments, but Villarreal stand strong to clear the danger. San Jose chips one towards the far post, but Asenjo is once again on hand to claim.
Another half-chance for the home side as Vietto shows excellent feet outside the box before striking towards goal, but San Jose is on hand to make a stunning challenge. Villarreal are knocking...
Both teams have had chances in the opening 24 minutes, but neither has been able to break the deadlock. Bilbao again break forward with Rico, but Pina is on hand to make the challenge. Aduriz is the target for a deep cross moments later, but once again the danger is cleared. End-to-end football here.
Half-chance for the away side as Aduriz finds some space outside the box, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. He has looked the most likely for Bilbao thus far.
Bilbao continue to press forward and Viguera has a half-chance following a loose header from Ruiz, but the striker fires high and wide of the crossbar. Not too much from Villarreal in the last five minutes or so, but Vietto is such a live wire each time the Yellow Submarine break. Still goalless here.
CHANCE! Talking of the man! Vietto breaks onto an Uche pass before striking towards the bottom corner, but Laporte is back to make an excellent challenge. Another chance for the Argentine.
Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining and Bilbao are just frustrating the home side at the moment. As touched upon, you feel that the first goal will be just crucial in this type of match.
Not too much to report in the last couple of minutes, with the referee more involved due to a number of late challenges. It has been a little untidy in the middle of the park at El Madrigal.
Villarreal have just turned up the heat in the last couple of minutes, with Dos Santos delivering a dangerous cross from the right, but once again Laporte is on hand to make the clearance. The pressure continues as Villarreal box the visitors in, but the danger is eventually cleared down-field.
If Villarreal are to make a serious push for the top four this season, then they need to be winning matches of this ilk. It is as simple as that. Bilbao are not in a good place at the moment, but they have showed good character to fight off some pressure. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to take the lead as De Marcos delivers a super cross onto the head of Unai Lopez, but the midfielder's header drops wide of the post. It should be 1-0.
GOAL! Villarreal 1-0 Bilbao (Cheryshev)
Villarreal take the lead in the latter stages of the half as Cheryshev collects a through pass from Ruiz before rounding the goalkeeper and finishing from a tight angle. Excellent from the Russian!
Bilbao just need to be a little bit careful in the latter stages of the half as Cheryshev curls another one from outside the box, but his effort is deflected wide for a corner. All Villarreal at the moment.
HALF-TIME: Villarreal 1-0 Bilbao
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Villarreal leading courtesy of that excellent finish from Cheryshev, who has had a super 45 minutes. Bilbao have had their moments in the first half, but Aduriz fired their best chance at Asenjo from close range. Can the visitors respond?
STATS! Bilbao have just about shaded the possession with 54%, while they have had seven attempts - four of which have been on target. Villarreal, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their seven attempts. Incredibly, there has not been a single booking in the opening 45 minutes here.
BENCH WATCH! Villarreal have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Giovani dos Santos, Moi Gomez and Gerard Moreno all in reserve for the Yellow Submarine. Bilbao, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Ibai Gomez and Inaki Williams.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Can Bilbao turn this one around? It is a big ask. The away side get the second period underway at El Madrigal.
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that alterations will occur as the half progresses here.
Half-chance for Dos Santos as the ball breaks to the midfielder inside the Bilbao box, but his effort is straight at Iraizoz. Bilbao really cannot afford to concede a second goal that is for certain.
Another half-chance for the home side as Uche combines with Vietto before striking towards goal, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Bilbao cannot keep the ball at the moment.
The home side continue to force the issue as Vietto strikes one from outside the box, but his effort just deflects high of the crossbar. The resulting corner is delivered short to Mario, who fizzes a low cross into the box, but Laporte manages to make the clearance. Villarreal are really knocking here...
... CLOSE! Cheryshev comes close to scoring his second after meeting a cross from Vietto, but the Russian's header just drops wide of the post. Bilbao are really, really struggling.
BOOKING! Etxeita (Bilbao) is booked for a late challenge on Pina.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Villarreal have the ball in the back of the net as Uche converts a header from Bruno, but the Nigerian was just in an offside position. It was a very well-worked set piece.
BOOKING! Bruno (Villarreal) is booked following a clash with Rico.
No movement on either bench at the moment, which is a surprise at this stage of the match. Bilbao have not offered anything in the second period and in truth, are fortunate to still be in the match.
Bilbao have a free kick in an advanced area following a late challenge from Costa...
... Susaeta delivers towards the far post, but there are no takers inside the box. The attack continues from the right, but Asenjo punches clear. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining here.
Possession football from the home side in the last couple of moments, but they remain such a threat in the final third. Bilbao have improved in the last few minutes, but they are still struggling for inspiration.
Half-chance for the home side as Uche picks up a loose header outside the Bilbao box, but his effort is deflected behind for another corner. Meanwhile, Bilbao are preparing to make a double change.
CROSSBAR! Villarreal come close to their second as Costa delivers a super cross towards the far post, which Pina flicks towards Uche and Rico turns onto his own crossbar.
SUBS! Bilbao make two changes as Williams and Iturraspe replace Rico and Viguera.
SUB! Villarreal make their first change as Dos Santos (Giovani) replaces Uche.
Williams has already made a difference to the Bilbao attack and the forward is unlucky to be flagged offside following a through pass from Iturraspe. You just get the feeling that there is something in this match for the visitors. Villarreal really need that second goal to be comfortable in the match.
Half-chance for Bilbao as Aduriz flicks a header towards the far post, but San Jose cannot make contact. Ever-so close for the midfielder, who already has five goals this season. Villarreal remain 1-0 ahead.
CHANCE! Cheryshev comes close to scoring a second for the home side after meeting a cross from Giovani, but the Russian's volley is pushed clear by Iraizoz. Wonderful technique there.
Bilbao force their fourth corner of the evening after more good work from Williams, but the set piece brings little joy as Lopez fires one wide of the post. Bilbao are preparing another change.
SUB! Bilbao make their third change as Inai replaces Lopez.
BOOKING! San Jose (Bilbao) is booked for dissent.
BOOKING! Cheryshev (Villarreal) is booked for a high challenge on De Marcos.
CHANCE! Opportunity for Williams to level the scores as the forward drives into the Villarreal box before firing one towards goal, but Asenjo is on hand to make the save.
POST! Giovani comes close to scoring a second for the home side, but his cross just hits the post after Iraizoz had lost flight of the ball. Almost a terrible moment for the goalkeeper.
SUB! Villarreal make their second change as Moi Gomez replaces Dos Santos.
SUB! Another Villarreal change in quick succession as Moreno replaces Vietto.
PENALTY VILLARREAL! The home side are awarded a penalty as De Marcos is penalised for handball inside the box. Good decision from the referee. It was a clear handball from the right-back.
GOAL! Villarreal 2-0 Bilbao (Bruno, pen)
Villarreal have their second as Bruno fires his spot kick into the bottom corner. Surely game over.
Bilbao have had bits and pieces in the final third this evening, but never enough to really trouble Villarreal, who now look certain to make it 15 games unbeaten in all competitions. What a run of form.
Little over two minutes of football remaining and Villarreal are in control of the possession.
Cheryshev has a half-chance to score his second after creating space just outside the box, but his effort was always straight into the arms of the Bilbao goalkeeper. Not long remaining here.
We are into the second of three additional minutes at El Madrigal.
Decent end to the match for Bilbao, who force two corners in quick succession, but the home side manage to clear the danger. Williams has been very bright for the Basque outfit since entering the field.
FULL-TIME: Villarreal 2-0 Bilbao
So there we have it. Villarreal make it 15 games unbeaten in all competitions with a routine 2-0 win over Bilbao, who cannot seem to buy a win at the moment. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us again tomorrow for plenty more La Liga action. Good evening!
