Gary Neville: Valencia's four-match winning streak comes to an end with Athletic Bilbao humbling

Neville's side had beaten Espanyol and Granada in the league and enjoyed back-to-back victories over Rapid Vienna

Gary Neville lost his job in Valenica as the team's manager (Getty)

Gary Neville's four-game winning streak with Valencia came to an abrupt end with a 3-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao following seven frantic minutes late in the second half.

Sabin Merino broke the deadlock in a tense and even game on 73 minutes and Iker Muniain and former Valencia striker Aritz Aduriz added to the visitors' lead in quick succession.

Neville's side had beaten Espanyol and Granada in the league and enjoyed back-to-back victories over Rapid Vienna in the Europa League but the late onslaught was too much to overcome.

Valencia missed out on a chance to move up to ninth in the Primera Division table and instead stay 12th, seven points behind Athletic.

But they have the opportunity to avenge the defeat as they meet Athletic twice in the next fortnight in the Europa League round of 16.

In-form striker Santi Mina was given the nod by Neville and headed into the side netting early on as Valencia made an encouraging start.

Then Andre Gomes went on a marauding run from the right wing and past three defenders before falling under a challenge from Xabier Etxeita, but referee Jesus Gil Manzano was unmoved.

Denis Cheryshev broke down the opposite wing to pick out an unmarked Alvaro Negredo but the Spaniard leaned back and shot well over the bar, spurning the latest of several glaring chances to fall his way in the last two months.

Athletic took a while to get into the game but frustrated Valencia with their physical play in midfield and Muniain created their best chance just before the break, turning inside but shooting wide.

Valencia put the ball in the net five minutes into the second half but the effort was ruled out, Negredo in an offside position when he attempted to flick on Aderlan Santos' shot, obstructing Gorka Iraizoz's view.

Athletic then could have taken the lead down the other end, Merino trying to slot Oscar de Marcos' pass into the bottom corner but denied by the fist of Diego Alves.

Just moments later Valencia came close again, Negredo meeting a Gomes cross at the far post but Etxeita blocking the shot.

Negredo was immediately replaced by Paco Alcacer, who had a chance of his own straight after coming on, failing to beat Iraizoz in a one-on-one after being played in by another fine pass by Gomes.

Athletic eventually broke the deadlock on 73 minutes. The move began with a stray pass by Santi Mina and Mikel Rico picked out San Jose on the right, who spotted Merino unmarked in the middle of the box and the 24-year-old calmly headed his cross into the net.

The second goal came from another Valencia giveaway, Rico robbing Dani Parejo after an ill-advised backheel and quickly playing in Muniain, who slid the ball through the legs of Alves.

Valencia's heads had dropped and moments later they conceded again, Aduriz getting up from Benat Etxebarria's corner to nod in the third.

PA.