Athletic had won three successive LaLiga games including the Basque derby and on 14 minutes they set themselves on a course for number four as the unmarked Aitor Paredes rose highest to meet Íñigo Ruiz de Galarreta’s whipped in corner.
Just five minutes later and Villarreal thought they had equalised when Pape Gueye exquisitely cushioned Álex Baena’s free-kick into the far corner but VAR adjudged the defensive midfielder had gone too early and was marginally offside.
Buoyed by their 2-1 success over Real Madrid on Wednesday night, the hosts went on the offensive in search of a second against the Yellow Submarine but Iñaki Williams’ flicked finish was not enough to fool Diego Conde who was alert to the danger and tipped wide.
Villarreal did not have such a pleasant midweek experience as they were stunned by Pontevedra in the Copa del Rey, losing 1-0 to the fourth-tier outfit.
Before kick-off, the excitement was palpable with the contest being billed as fourth vs fifth and The Lions just three points behind third-place Atlético.
On 68 minutes, Williams doubled the home side’s lead, moving them level with Rojiblancos who have played two games less. Oihan Sancet slipped Williams through on goal whose low finish found the bottom corner.
On first glance it looked a fine finish but the replay showed Conde got his studs stuck in the turf and twisted his knee in an attempt to keep out the shot.
The win means Ernesto Valverde’s side stretched their unbeaten run to 11 matches in all competitions and kept them ahead of the visitors in the LaLiga table.
For Villarreal, out of the Copa del Rey and with no European football this season, the league remains their main focus as they look to chase down Bilbao in the second half of the campaign.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club)