Madrid: Mikel Rico's perfectly taken header helped Athletic Bilbao beat Villarreal 2-0 at its new San Mames Stadium in the Spanish league on Monday.
Rico dove horizontally to meet Andoni Iraola's precise long cross from the right to score his second league goal of the season in the 33rd minute.
Two minutes later, Aritz Aduriz netted Bilbao's second when he raced forward and pounced on a poor clearance by Villarreal defender Mateo Musacchio, sending a low shot rolling past goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo.
Villarreal midfielder Bruno Soriano was sent off for a second yellow card in first-half injury time for holding Bilbao winger Markel Susaeta.
Bilbao is sixth in the standings on 16 points, one less than fourth-place Villarreal.
Also, Levante beat Celta Vigo 1-0 after a goal by Papakouli Diop.
