Valencia failed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Europa League following a 76th-minute away goal from Athletic Bilbao's Aritz Aduriz at the Mestalla on Thursday evening.
Gary Neville's side had a 2-0 lead for the majority of the game thanks to first-half goals from Santi Mina and Aderlan Santos, but Aduriz caused the damage to make the tie 2-2 on aggregate.
To add insult to injury, Neville was sent to the stands after arguing with the match officials shortly after Athletic scored.
Discover how the game unfolded in Sports Mole's text commentary below.
5.00pmHello everyone! You have been fortunate with some juicy Champions League ties this week. Well, not it is time for the Europa League to take centre stage. The big fixture of the night is at Old Trafford between long-time rivals Manchester United and Liverpool, but one man who is no stranger to the Red Devils is under the microscope in Spain as Gary Neville's Valencia take on Athletic Bilbao. The match at the Mestalla is the one that we will be taking you through!
5.04pmIt seems as though Neville's job has been under pressure ever since he took over at Valencia in December. It has not been plain sailing for the retired England footballer and he has another challenge to overcome as his side have a 1-0 deficit in their last-16 tie against Athletic. They will need to overturn that on home turf this evening if they want to reach the final eight.
5.06pmAs for Athletic, well, they still have work to do. They may have a 1-0 lead thanks to Raul Garcia's goal, but it is only a slender lead. If they manage to score at the Mestalla then they have an away goal that could provide crucial. Including last week's European match, Athletic have won their last five games on the trot.
5.09pmI think it's time for some team news, don't you? The lineups are in!
5.11pmVALENCIA XI: Ryan; Gaya, Santos, Mustafi, Ruben Vezo; Danilo, Fuego; Rodrigo, Gomes, Mina; Negredo
Subs: Domenech, Abdennour, Soler, Parejo, Feghouli, Piatti, Alcacer,
Subs: Domenech, Abdennour, Soler, Parejo, Feghouli, Piatti, Alcacer,
5.12pmATHLETIC XI: Herrerin; De Marcos, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga; San Jose, Benat, Merino; Garcia, Muniain, Aduriz
Subs: Iraizoz, Boveda, Eraso, Iturraspe, Susaeta, Mikel Rico, Lekue
Subs: Iraizoz, Boveda, Eraso, Iturraspe, Susaeta, Mikel Rico, Lekue
5.17pmGary Neville has made eight changes to the side that suffered a 1-0 defeat to Levante last weekend. Goalkeeper Matthew Ryan comes in, while Jose Gaya, Aderlan Santos and Ruben Vezo come into the defence. Danilo and Rodrigo also come into the fold, while Santi Mina and Alvaro Negredo provide the attacking threat. As a result, goalkeeper Diego Alves, Joao Cancelo, Aymen Abdennour, Guilherme Siqueira, Daniel Parejo, Sofiane Feghouli, Paco Alcacer and Pablo Piatti drop out.
5.19pmAs for Athletic, head coach Ernesto Valverde has made six changes to the side that overcame Real Betis 3-1 at the weekend. Goalkeeper Iago Herrerin comes in between the sticks, while Oscar de Marcos, Xabier Etxeita, Mikel Balenziago, Benat and Aritz Aduriz join the outfield.
5.23pmAs mentioned, Gary Neville's move into management has not been a smooth one. Valencia, who appointed the ex-United star in December, have very demanding fans and many believe that a club of its stature should be up there competing with Barcelona and Real Madrid in La Liga. As it happens, the club are 11th in the standings, 13 points off a European spot and 19 behind the top-four positions.
5.27pmNeville has guided the team to just three La Liga wins in 15 attempts and they were knocked out of the Copa del Rey at the semi-final stage by Barcelona. Neville has constantly been asked about his long-term future at the Spanish club and in turn, he has been completely defiant.
5.31pmHe and the club were dealt another damaging blow at the weekend, though, as they were beaten 1-0 by their local rivals Levante. On paper, Valencia should have taken home all three points as Levante are in the bottom three of the league table, four points from safety, but that was not what transpired.
5.34pmBoth sides struggled to find the breakthrough in the first half and it took 65 minutes for the deadlock to be broken. Unfortunately for Neville, it came at the wrong end. Giuseppe Rossi found the back of the net and Valencia were unable to respond in the final 25 minutes of the match. The defeat was Neville's seventh league loss since he took over.
5.36pmValencia head into tonight's game on the back of three consecutive defeats in all competitions, and Neville could face further criticism as he is due to team up with the England national team as part of Roy Hodgson's coaching staff for friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands next week.
5.41pmWhen asked about recent negative comments, Neville told reporters: "I have no problem with anything that has been said in these last few days. I expected it. I don't want it, but I have been in football a long time and when you have a performance like that and you play like that [against Levante], you cannot defend [it].
"I understand the fans' anger - they should be angry and I accept this completely. I said this on Sunday after the game - that we have to accept any criticism that comes our way.
"Do I find it harder to work under the pressure? I have been in these types of situation - not as a head coach maybe, but as a player and as an assistant coach working with England, I have been in this type of situation before where it has been very difficult and I have been surrounded by these types of moment.
"I don't feel destabilised by the fact we are working under this level of pressure, but if we don't deliver, then we know the circumstances, we know the outcome, we know what is going to be said."
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5.44pmThe month of March has not been the happiest for Valencia despite starting it well. Los Che managed to come from behind in La Liga to seal a 2-1 win over Malaga. Neville's team went 1-0 down following Duje Cop's goal in the 14th minute, but an own goal three minutes from half-time put Valencia back in contention. Denis Cheryshev gave Valencia the lead in the 50th minute and it proved to be the winner.
5.47pmAfter that result, though, it went downhill as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid, lost to Athletic Bilbao in their Europa League first leg and were beaten by their derby rivals Levante. A win this evening would be a very welcome boost for under-pressure Neville.
5.50pmWhat about Athletic's form? Well, they are so far unbeaten this month following four victories in all competitions. They kicked of March with an emphatic 4-1 win over Deportivo. Aritz Aduriz scored a hat-trick, while Iker Muniain also contributed to the scoreline.
5.51pmThey followed up that match with a 2-0 win away to Sporting Gijon, but they left the ground with a sour taste as Aymeric Laporte was sent off in the 74th minute following a second bookable offence. Athletic's next game was the 1-0 win over Valencia in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash.
5.53pmThey continued their fine form in the league with a 3-1 triumph over Real Betis last weekend. Sabin Merino scored twice and Mikel Rico also found the back of the net. Ruben Castro pulled one back for Betis in the 85th minute, but it was not enough to inspire a comeback.
5.55pmBilbao's coach Ernesto Valverde is certainly not downplaying the importance of tonight's game.
He told Marca: "For us it is a final. There is a team that will be left out, and we do not want it to be us.
"They may be under more pressure because they are further back than they thought, but that should not affect us - we have the same amount of enthusiasm as them.''
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5.56pmWe're not far away from kickoff now! Who will make it into the final eight, Valencia or Athletic? There's not long until we find out!
1 minKICKOFF! Athletic get us underway at the Mestalla! Daniele Orsato is the match referee tonight.
2 minThe first attacking play of the night comes from Valencia as Gaya gets on the ball before delivering a well-taken cross into the penalty area, but it's cleared by the visitors.
3 minBenat brings down Gomes on the edge of the penalty area and Valencia are awarded a free kick. The visitors are not best pleased, but it's given regardless. Negredo delivers the set piece with a low strike past the wall, but his effort ends up wide of the far post.
5 minValencia have started brightly on their home turf and are displaying an attacking threat in these early stages of the half. Neville will be keeping his fingers crossed that his team can make them count.
7 minThe referee has blown his whistle quite a few times already! It is mainly the Athletic players who are getting penalised for fouls. They're showing aggression, but they'll need to be careful not to go too far.
8 minCHANCE! Athletic get their first real chance at goal as Aduriz weaves his way through Valencia's defence before unleashing a shot at goal, which Ryan is able to comfortably stop.
11 minAthletic are seeing more of the ball now and Balenziaga tries to set up a chance by sending the ball into the box, but he overhits the cross and the ball bobbles out for a Valencia throw-in.
12 minSome nervy moments for Athletic as Garcia requires treatment after going to ground, but it looks as though he will be fine to continue.
13 minGOAL! VALENCIA 1-0 ATHLETIC (MINA)
13 minIt's the perfect start for Neville and Valencia! It's Santi Mina who gets the glory! Gaya surges down the left before crossing the ball into Negredo's path. The former Manchester City forward takes aim at the goal, but it's saved on the line by Herrerin. The ball falls into Mina's path and he knocks home the rebound.
15 minThe atmosphere has risen at the Mestalla as the home fans rejoice! As it stands, the game is 1-1 on aggregate and because there are no away goals as yet, if it stays like this, we go into extra time.
17 minAthletic are still seeing plenty of the ball as they try to hunt for a way through. At the moment, they are not having much luck. Benat needs to be careful as he keeps giving away free kicks.
21 minMuniain tries his luck from the edge of the box, but his shot is blocked. Both teams are doing well to close down off the ball, but as a result, play is breaking up in midfield and neither side can cause much trouble in the final third.
24 minGaya goes for the long-ball approach, but it fails to come off. At the other end, Balenziaga lofts the ball into the penalty area, but Valencia's defence deals with it.
25 minATHLETIC SUB: It's a blow to the visiting side as the skipper Muniain tells the bench that he needs to come off with a hamstring injury. He's replaced with Susaeta.
26 minThe substitute tries to make an instant impact by sending a thunderous shot from 24 yards out, but his attempt goes wide of the left post.
28 minSabin manages to get in the box for Athletic, but due to the amount of bodies packed into Valencia's half, he is unable to find a way through. Valencia have not created much in terms of goal threat since taking the lead in the 13th minute. They're dropping very deep with the hope of causing trouble on the counter.
29 minValencia finally manage to get out their own half and they end up with a corner. Danilo whips it in, but it fails to trouble Athletic as they initially clear the ball.
31 minThe play is still alive following the corner and Mustafi tries an acrobatic volley, but he misses the target. The ball then comes towards the far post, where Vezo and Santos are situated, but there's a lack of communication and the ball drops behind for a goal kick.
33 minBLOCK! Most teams are thankful for a block, but not Valencia as Gomes's attempt was stopped by his own teammate! Vezo delivers the ball into the area for Gomes, who heads the ball on target, but his effort deflects off Negredo and out for a goal kick.
35 minValencia seem to have found their feet and look the more likely to score again, while Athletic seem to have lost some shape.
37 minGOAL! VALENCIA 2-0 ATHLETIC (SANTOS)
37 minValencia go 2-0 up! Neville's side now lead 2-1 on aggregate, so they will be in the quarter-finals if it stays like this! The move begins with Gaya, who sends a cross in for Santos. The defender then heads it into the top right corner.
40 minBOOKING! Mina is the first player to receive a yellow card from the referee this evening following a rash tackle.
42 minCHANCE! Gomes is inches away from giving Valencia a 3-0 lead! Herrerin fluffs his punched clearance and the ball drops to Gomes, who hits it on the volley, but the ball is sent just wide of the post.
42 minBOOKING! Fuego goes into the referee's book for a heavy challenge.
44 minSAVE! What a stop from Ryan! Valencia's defence have switched off as they are appealing for a handball, but the referee waves play on and Laporte tries to take advantage by thumping a volley towards the top right corner, but Ryan makes the save.
45+2 minBOOKING! Another yellow card! This time it's for Raul Garcia for dissent. This means that he will miss the first leg of the quarter-finals if Athletic progress.
45+3 minHALF-TIME: VALENCIA 2-0 ATHLETIC
6.50pmThe referee blows for half-time and Valencia will be the happier side heading into the break. Santi Mina and Aderlan Santos have given Gary Neville's side a 2-0 lead on the night. The breakthrough was made in the 13th minute and it was doubled shortly after the half-hour mark, leaving Athletic with plenty to do. As it stands, Valencia are going through to the quarter-finals with a 2-1 win on aggregate. We'll return for the second half soon!
46 minRESTART! Valencia get the second half underway! Will the home side extend their lead or can Athletic get back in it? Let's find out!
49 minValencia go on the attack and the ball ends up in Vezo's path. He chips it into the box, but Herrerin is able to get there first and gather the ball.
50 minNot much has changed from the first half if these early minutes are anything to go by. Valencia are dominating on the frontfoot and Athletic are struggling to cope with the overlapping runs of Vezo and Gaya.
52 minCHANCE! Gaya is involved once again as he beats his markers and cuts inside before sending the ball to Mina at the near post, but the keeper gets there first.
54 minAthletic are struggling at the moment. Sabin gives the ball away in his own half, allowing Valencia to break, but San Jose manages to cancel out Gomes's cross. The corner comes in and the ball gets into the back of the net off Santos, but the offside flag is already raised.
58 minCHANCE! Athletic come close as De Marcos receives the ball on the edge of the area. He unleashes a half-volley, but the attempt goes over the bar. Remember, Athletic only need to score once and they're through to the quarters!
62 minOVER THE BAR! How did that not go in?! Valencia have a glorious chance to snatch a third when Herrerin comes off his line to stop Rodrigo, but the forward manages to get round the keeper and cut the ball back to Gaya, who leans back as he takes a shot and the ball flies over the bar.
64 minRodrigo lines up a shot from 10 yards out but Etxeita does well to block the ball and keep Valencia out the door. Neville's side are piling on the pressure and they are desperate to get that third goal and put Athletic out of sight.
68 minVALENCIA SUB: Neville makes his first change of the game as Javi Fuego makes way for Parejo. The midfielder picked up a knock earlier.
73 minSome concerning signs for Valencia as Gaya looks as though he's picked up an injury, but it seems that it is only minor and he should be able to continue.
74 minBOOKING! Gomes is the next man to go in the book. He gets penalised for a handball, but it's a bit harsh on the midfielder who didn't know too much about it.
76 minGOAL! VALENCIA 2-1 ATHLETIC (ADURIZ)
76 minAthletic have done it! They have scored what could be a pivotal away goal at the Mestalla! The ball is flicked on from Garcia and all Aduriz needs to do is tap it home, and he does his job. As it stands it's 2-2 on aggregate, but because of the away goal, Athletic are through.
79 minValencia have just over 10 minutes to turn this tie around. Can they do it? Before the goal there were a handful of changes from both sides. Rodrigo went off for Valencia and was replaced with Feghouli, while Athletic made a double change - Lekue and Iturraspe came on for Balenziaga and Sabin.
80 minNEVILLE SENT TO THE STANDS! Valencia's boss has been sent to the stands by the referee after arguing with the match officials following Athletic's goal. The home side are unravelling!
83 minVALENCIA SUB: The home side make their final change as Alcacer comes on for Gomes. They're running out of time!
87 minSAVE! Negredo tees up Alcacer with a knock-down, but the striker's close-range strike is stopped by Herrerin. The home fans cannot believe they haven't scored there!
90 minThe fourth official indicates that there will be FIVE MINUTES of added time. Valencia still have a chance of getting through!
90+1 minAthletic are doing all that they can to prevent Valencia from getting through and they have done well to soak up the pressure. They still have a few minutes to hold on.
90+5 minFULL-TIME: VALENCIA 2-1 ATHLETIC
7.58pmIt's agonising for Valencia and Gary Neville as they win the match 2-1 but go out of the Europa League because of Athletic Bilbao's away goal! Mina and Santos's goals looked to have won it for the home side at the Mestalla, but Aduriz came back in the 76th minute to score that crucial goal that left the tie 2-2 on aggregate. To add insult to injury, Neville was sent to the stands ofr arguing with the referee! Thank you for joining us and until next time, goodbye!
