Athletic Bilbao get back on track with Rayo Vallecano win

Athletic Bilbao returned to winning ways as Inaki Williams' fine second-half strike earned them a 1-0 Primera Division victory over Rayo Vallecano at San Mames.Williams, who had to be substituted due to injury only moments later, fired home from the edge of the box in the 61st minute, registering his eighth league goal of the season.The much-welcomed win comes after a run of three defeats and a draw in Athletic's previous four competitive matches, and will restore confidence ahead of Thursday's Europa League quarter-final second leg against Sevilla, where they will try to overturn a 2-1 deficit.Sunday's victory also sees them climb above Sevilla into sixth place in La Liga, although a top-four finish looks out of reach with Villarreal, who won earlier in the day, still nine points clear of them.Rayo, meanwhile, are 16th, three points above the relegation zone after seeing their three-match unbeaten run come to an end.They were up against it early on as goalkeeper Juan Carlos claimed a low shot from Inigo Lekue.Markel Susaeta's cross then hit Jose Angel Crespo's arm in the Rayo box, but no penalty was given, and Iker Muniain's strike was saved by Juan Carlos.At the other end, Gorka Iraizoz did well to keep out a sliding ninth-minute effort from Javi Guerra, who then had a shot diverted behind by Ander Iturraspe.Neither side really looked like scoring thereafter until Williams fired into the side-netting three minutes into the second half.Rayo then went close as Pablo Hernandez's strike was blocked by Iraizoz - and within seconds of that, they were behind, Williams taking two touches as he collected a pass from Raul Garcia before unleashing a fierce, rising drive that the diving Juan Carlos could not keep out.After Williams then had to depart, Rayo had several good chances but none were taken, Guerra having one shot saved and sweeping another wide, either side of Miku seeing a header clip the top of the crossbar.