Gary Neville sent to the stands as Valencia crash out to Bilbao

Aritz Aduriz struck late on as Athletic Bilbao controversially edged past Gary Neville’s Valencia on away goals to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.

Goals from Santi Mina and Aderlan Santos gave Valencia a 2-1 aggregate lead but Aduriz’s eighth goal of the competition 14 minutes from time secured progression for Athletic, despite a 2-1 defeat on the night.

Neville ended the night watching from the stands after being sent off by referee Daniele Orsato for arguing about a possible handball in the build up to the visitors’ goal.

Valencia trailed 1-0 following Raul Garcia’s goal for in the first leg last week but started the stronger side and it took them just 13 minutes to score the opening goal as Santi Mina knocked in a rebound after former Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo was denied by Iago Herrerin.

Athletic suffered a blow just 25 minutes into the game when captain Iker Muniain was forced off with a hamstring injury.

Seven minutes before the break Neville’s side doubled their lead as defender Aderlan Santos headed Jose Gaya’s cross beyond Herrerin.

For 70 minutes, it looked like Valencia’s lead was safe but Athletic, finalists in 2012, pressed for a goal that would give them the lead and Aduriz eventually provided it.

The crucial away goal came when Raul Garcia’s delightful flick found Aduriz who had an easy tap in.

After Neville was sent off, Valencia went close through Sofiane Feghouli and Dani Parejo but were unable to find a late winner.

Elsewhere Sparta Prague produced a brilliant first-half performance to thrash Lazio 3-0 and advance to the quarter-finals.

With the tie finely poised after a 1-1 draw in Prague last week, the visitors stunned the home fans inside the Stadio Olimpico with three goals in the opening period to run out 4-1 winners on aggregate.

Midfielder Borek Dockal opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a well-struck half-volley from just outside the area, with Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti getting his hand to the ball but being unable to stop it finding the bottom corner.

And the visitors doubled their lead on the night just two minutes later when Ladislav Krejci was afforded time and space to casually slot home beyond Marchetti’s despairing dive.

Any faint hopes Lazio had of getting back into the contest were effectively ended just before the interval when Lukas Julis exploited yet more poor defending to volley into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Villarreal also reached the last eight after a goalless draw at Bayer Leverkusen secured a 2-0 win on aggregate.

Kyriakos Papadopoulos’ header against the bar early in the second half was as close as Leverkusen came, but they were unable to put real pressure on Villarreal.

Valencia:

Ryan, Ruben Vezo, Aderlan Santos, Mustafi, Gaya, Danilo, Andre Gomes (Alcacer 83), Javi Fuego (Parejo 68), Santi Mina, Negredo, Rodrigo (Feghouli 74).

Not Used:

Domenech, Piatti, Abdennour, Carlos Soler Barragan. Gomes,

Athletic Bilbao:

Herrerin, De Marcos, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga (Lekue 75), San Jose, Benat, Merino (Iturraspe 75), Raul Garcia, Muniain (Susaeta 25), Aduriz.

Not Used:

Iraizoz, Boveda, Eraso, Mikel Rico..

Ref:

Daniele Orsato (Italy).

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