Athletic Bilbao continued their recent revival after thumping Almeria at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos.

Two goals in four minutes from Javi Martinez and Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora just prior to half-time set Athletic on their way and second-half strikes from Fernando Llorente and Oscar De Marcos saw the visitors match the four-goal showing of the club's 4-2 mauling of Alaves six years ago.

The victory means that Athletic, who started the season well but then went through a dismal run that saw them lose six times in eight games, have now won three of their last four La Liga matches - drawing the other against Barcelona - and are also unbeaten in six in all competitions.

That run keeps Athletic in the top eight of the league standings and gives Joaquin Caparros' side a huge boost ahead of their important Europa League trip to Austria Vienna in midweek.

For Almeria, who pulled a late goal back through Kalu Uche's penalty, the defeat means they have now lost five of their last seven league outings, and in their next two matches they face high-flying Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna.

Hugo Sanchez's side actually created the first decent chance of the game, when in the 21st minute Pablo Piatti beat the offside trap only to be denied by the outstretched foot of Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz.

Iraizoz also had to be alert to tip over Domingo Cisma's free-kick in the 34th minute, but in between those incidents Athletic hit the post through Pablo Orbaiz's acrobatic effort and it would be the visitors who made the first breakthrough in the 37th minute thanks to Martinez.

The highly-rated young midfielder ghosted in unmarked at the far post to reach Fran Yeste's deep free-kick and send a downward header past Diego Alves.

Four minutes after that and Athletic were celebrating a second goal, Ustaritz also enjoying success at the far post to tap home from close range after Carlos Gurpegi had flicked on a corner.

The second half started with Athletic needing to survive a goalmouth scramble, but the visitors soon found themselves 3-0 up in the 59th minute thanks to star striker Llorente.

The Spain international showed good strength and good technique to get on the end of another Yeste's free-kick, hold off his marker and send a diving header into the top corner.

An important block from Iraizoz kept Uche from reducing the arrears, and Athletic then put the result beyond any doubt when De Marcos added a fourth in the 77th minute.

Markel Susaeta's cross looked to be too far behind his team-mate, but the summer signing from Alaves did superbly to twist and send a low volley past Alves.

Almeria managed to net an 84th-minute consolation when Uche smashed home a penalty after Koikili Lertxundi had bundled over Jose Ortiz in the area, but the home side were well beaten by then and can consider themselves fortunate not to have suffered an even heavier defeat as Athletic continued to create chances right to the end.

Athletic winger David Lopez sent a shot just wide of the far post after being put through, while Susaeta was denied by a post, and Alves did well to tip behind another Lopez effort.