Honours even at San Mames

Even-stevens

It was a windy, rainy evening in Bilbao, but there was to be no shower of goals. Instead, what was in store was a high-quality encounter between two sides with designs on the European places who ultimately cancelled each other out.

Fortress San Mames

Eight is the magic number for Ernesto Valverde's men. This was an eighth consecutive league game at San Mames in which the hosts have collected at least a point, and an eighth straight Liga BBVA match unbeaten home and away for Ernesto Valverde's men, with five wins and three draws in this period.

Solid travellers

As for Villarreal CF, they have achieved a result from their last four away trips. The San Mames faithful join the fans at Anoeta, Riazor and the RCDE Stadium in witnessing their side fail to get the better of Marcelino's troops. The Yellow Submarine are now undefeated in ten rounds of league action overall.

Villarreal brings a point back home after tonight's draw against Athletic! Very proud of our team, undefeated for 10 matches! #CVFEnglish

— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) February 6, 2016

Soldado denied by Iraizoz

Roberto Soldado had a sniff of goal right at the beginning of the game after a superb Denis Suarez pass, but Gorka Iraizoz kept out the striker's attempt. Having gone head-to-head for the first chance of the match, the pair fittingly also faced off for the last, with Iraizoz once again equal to Soldado's best efforts.