Sports

Athletic Club Bilbao were held to a scrappy 0-0 draw at home to struggling Real Zaragoza which left them seventh in La Liga on Sunday.

In Bilbao''s San Mames Stadium, the hosts should have secured a convincing win as they had a string of clear chances while Zaragoza rarely threatened.

Zaragoza goalkeeper Roberto Jimenez made an outstanding save to stop Oscar de Marcos from close range in the 27th. Two minutes later, Igor Gabilondo just failed to connect with De Marcos''s cross.

Fernando Llorente could have done better in the 55th when he headed over after Javier Martinez had set him up.

The Basque club are kept out of the Europa League slots by Villarreal, who are level on 49 points from 33 games but sixth due to their superior head-to-head record. Villarreal beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Saturday.