Inigo Cordoba, Inaki Williams and Iker Muniain netted for Athletic Bilbao to place a dent in Villarreal’s European hopes.
Forward Cordoba bagged his first top-flight goal to open the scoring before the lively forward Williams tucked away his sixth strike of the league campaign.
Carlos Bacca pulled one back for the hosts during the second half but Muniain toasted his return from a knee injury by climbing off the bench to notch the travelling outfit's third.
It was a cohesive attacking performance from the visitors, who fully deserved the win, with Williams providing the assist for Cordoba before tucking him with composure to double the lead.
Bacca’s 10th goal of the season was not enough for Javi Calleja’s side to get back into the game with Munain fittingly scoring before defender Alvaro was dismissed for the hosts late on.
The Basque club are now up to 12th in the standings after ending a three-game winless run while Villarreal slip to 6th after suffering back-to-back defeats.
