ASIER VILLALIBRE NEWS

Nets first goal with Alaves Villalibre scored one goal to go with three shots (one on goal) in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.

Impact Villalibre scored his first goal since joining Alaves, with the forward finding the back of the net in the 45th minute from the penalty spot. This was his first start for the club, having appeared off the bench and gone unused in their previous two games. That said, he will look to continue in the starting role, although it appears more likely he will remain in a rotational role.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Transfers to Alaves Villalibre has agreed on a move to Alaves from Athletic Club ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Impact Villalibre has been with the team since 2016, winning the Copa de Rey for the first time last season. Since 2020, the forward had made just 24 starts in 77 appearances in la Liga, scoring eight goals with three assists. He will remain in Spain as he is set to debut with Alaves ahead of the new season.

JULY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Scores late equalizer Villalibre scored one goal to go with three shots (three on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-2 draw versus Osasuna.

Impact Villalibre was the savior of Saturday's match for Athletic, as he scored a solo goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time to force the 2-2 draw. This gave the forward only his second goal and third goal contribution of the season, with his other two coming at the start of the season in the same match on Sept. 16. He will hope this earns him more time moving into the final three games of the season, as he has only earned two starts in 15 appearances all season.

MAY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Removed at halftime Villalibre generated two shots (one on goal) in Monday's 0-0 draw versus Almeria.

Impact Villalibre was handed his second consecutive start in four appearances since returning from loan. After an ineffective first half, he was removed at halftime in favor of Raul Garcia. Since returning to his parent club, Villalibre has been unable to make the impact for which Bilbao had hoped. To earn consistent minutes, Villalibre will have to improve upon his recent performance, having registered just one shot on target and created only one chance in his most recent four appearances (two starts).

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Ineffective performance in first start Villalibre recorded one shot (not on goal) and created a chance in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Cadiz.

Impact Villalibre was poor on Sunday, he was in the classic number nine role but only managed to place one shot and that was not on-goal. Unsurprisingly he was subbed after 70 minutes. The match was his first start, he is usually deployed from the bench to provide fresh attacking energy to the latter stage of a game. Apart from four goals in two January Copa del Rey fixtures, he has not been effective for the club in LaLiga matches.

JANUARY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Impresses as substitute Villalibre scored a goal with his lone shot and had an assist while creating three chances during Saturday's 3-0 win over Cadiz.

Impact Villalibre entered the match in the 68th minute, scoring in under a minute of his appearance before setting up Inaki Williams in the 90th to play a role in two of Athletic Bilbao's three goals. The goal involvements were the first of the season for the forward as Villalibre has made just two substitute appearances totaling 37 minutes played.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns from loan Villalibre returned to Athletic Club following the conclusion of his loan to Depor.

Impact Villalibre finished his loan to Depor and returned to Athletic Club. The forward totaled six goals and three assists in La Liga2 and now returns to the Primera division with his parent club where he's unlikely to find substantial playing time.

AUGUST 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Extends contract with Bilbao Villalibre has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract extension with Athletic Club, it was announced Friday.

Impact Villalibre has slipped down the forward depth chart since his peak of four goals and 16 starts in La Liga in 2020/21, as he's been limited to just five appearances (one start) in this campaign behind Inaki Williams, Gorka Guruzeta and sometimes Raul Garcia. But the 25-year-old has now signed on with the club through the 2024/25 season.

JANUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Comes off bench in win Villalibre created one chance and put one shot off target during Tuesday's 3-0 win over Valladolid.

Impact Villalibre made just four appearances over the first half of the season, starting once and taking four shots. It's a disappointing time for Villalibre, who hoped to play a bigger role in 2022 but has fallen behind Raul Garcia and Gorka Guruzeta in the depth chart.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes three shots in draw Villalibre took three shots (one on goal) during 57 minutes of Monday's scoreless draw with Mallorca.

Impact Villalibre looked lively to open the season and put in a solid shift before his departure. His story runs similarly to the rest of the attack in the need for more goals but Villalibre also need the time to play as he dealt with lots of injuries last season.

AUGUST 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Comes off bench in season finale Villalibre played the final 20 minutes or so of last weekend's 1-0 defeat against Sevilla.

Impact Villalibre scored two goals in 19 La Liga appearances (three starts) this campaign, and he will likely remain a backup forward behind Inaki Williams and the young Oihan Sancet next season.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Scores off bench in win Villalibre scored one goal from two shots (one on goal) in 45 minutes of Sunday's 2-0 win over Osasuna.

Impact Villalibre came on for Nico Williams for the entire second half and was rewarded with a tidy finish to close out the contest. Should Williams be hurt, Villalibre could start in the finale against a tough Sevilla defense.

MAY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes two shots in loss Villalibre took two shots (zero on goal) and created one chance during Tuesday's 1-0 loss to Granada.

Impact Villalibre started for the first time in almost three months but didn't have much to show for it. With none of the forwards showing their best performances at the moment. It's likely that there will be a couple of different combinations for the final two rounds against Osasuna and Sevilla.

MAY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Logs 26 minutes in draw Villalibre put one shot off target in 26 minutes of Saturday's scoreless draw with Valencia.

Impact Villalibre was able to return from another muscular injury and looked solid in limited minutes. He'll try to work on his fitness over the final weeks of the season beginning at Granada, which have conceded the fourth-most goals in La Liga.

MAY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Available against Valencia Villalibre (groin) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Valencia.

Impact Villalibre is back in the squad after missing the last two matches with a groin issue. He figures to continue his role off the bench and with the season winding down, he could get a start in one of the final contests.

MAY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out against Cadiz Villalibre (groin) was not called up by Athletic for Thursday's clash against Cadiz.

Impact Villalibre suffered an adductor injury in Sunday's defeat to Celta Vigo, and it will keep him out for Thursday's game at least. He has started just two La Liga games all season for Bilbao.

APRIL 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gets injured again Villalibre picked up a muscular injury in his right leg, his club announced Monday.

Impact One can only hope that Villalibre doesn't get disheartened after suffering a third muscular knock this season. This will shorten the depth chart back to just Inaki Williams, Raul Garcia and Oihan Sancet, though none of the three have been consistent for longer stretches than a few games. Up next is Thursday's trip to Cadiz and it's undecided how long Villalibre will be out just yet.

APRIL 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Finds net in win Villalibre scored one goal from three shots (one on goal) in 15 minutes of Sunday's 2-1 win over Elche.

Impact Villalibre was on his game with two close headers and a fine finish to the far post in Sunday's victory. As his first goal of the league season, Villalibre will hope to exorcise some demons as the campaign moves to its final stages and he continues to build up his fitness. Up next is a trip to Villarreal.

APRIL 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes two shots in loss Villalibre took two shots (one on goal) in 77 minutes of Sunday's 4-0 loss to Barcelona.

Impact Villalibre returned to the lineup for the first time since September and looked fit, but couldn't get many clean chances against a tough opponent and with a rotated roster behind him. He should continue to start on occasion, though with all four strikers healthy for Athletic, Villalibre is down the list on who will play in the biggest games.

FEBRUARY 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Comes off bench in return Villalibre played for 18 minutes of Monday's 2-1 win over Espanyol.

Impact Villalibre made his return following a hamstring injury that's kept him out for two months and didn't waste his time making some lung-busting runs and working hard to help his team. If Villalibre can remain fit, it's a good sign for the depth of Athletic's attack, especially if Raul Garcia needs time to recover following an injury suffered Monday. Up next is the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal against Valencia before Monday's trip to Mallorca.

FEBRUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Available Thursday Villalibre (hamstring) will be available for Thursday's Copa del Rey match against Real Madrid.

Impact Villalibre has played sparingly since September of 2021 due to injuries and has finally worked his way back from a hamstring issue. With Oihan Sancet, Inaki Williams and Raul Garcia all receiving minutes, Villalibre adds another body to the competition.

FEBRUARY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Tests negative Villalibre (hamstring) tested negative for COVID-19 and returned to training Wednesday, according to his club.

Impact Villalibre is still working his way back from a hamstring issue that's kept him out for over a month now, though he's at least able to restart his recovery without being stuck at home. When he does eventually return, it's likely that he'll compete with Raul Garcia for a place as the backup striker.

JANUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Tests positive for COVID-19 Villalibre (hamstring) has tested positive for COVID-19, Bilbao announced Thursday.

Impact Villalibre hasn't played since tearing his hamstring in late November, and he will have to miss at least another week while in isolation now.

DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers muscle tear Villalibre suffered a grade II muscle tear in his left hamstring, Athletic Club announced Monday.

Impact Villalibre will likely be out a month, if not slightly longer as he recovers from this issue. The forward has been dealing with a hamstring issue for the last month and it appears that he pushed it too far off the bench Friday. He will hope to return in January, barring a quick recovery just before the new year.

NOVEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Injured again Villalibre logged 20 minutes as a substitute but came off injured during Friday's scoreless draw with Levante.

Impact Villalibre just returned from a hamstring injury and seemingly picked up the same injury as he fell to the turf in frustration before his exit. This will keep Oihan Sancet as the alternate striker to Inaki Williams and Raul Garcia, though there's no official word on Villalibre's status and it's unclear how long he'll be out this time.

NOVEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE