Ollie Watkins confirmed his class with a landmark aim that saved Aston Villa very a lot within the hunt for a Champions League place – and broken Bournemouth’s European dream.
The England man, usually missed for a beginning place this season, scored the winner with the deftest of flicks simply earlier than half-time to elevate Unai Emery’s staff as much as sixth, two factors off third-placed Manchester Metropolis.
Commercial
Villa raised the tempo in direction of the tip of a turgid first half, Marco Asensio hitting the put up and Boubacar Kamara having a close-range header fantastically saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga, earlier than Watkins struck.
The ahead slipped his marker Illia Zabarnyi by a number of inches and received essentially the most delicate of touches to divert the ball previous Kepa. He knew precisely what he was doing. It was a superb end and Watkins now has 16 objectives within the league this season, essentially the most by an English participant. He additionally grew to become Aston Villa’s report scorer within the Premier League with 75 in whole.
Bournemouth’s hopes of qualifying for the Europa Convention League suffered a blow, with defeat seeing Andoni Iraola’s aspect drop from eighth to tenth after earlier wins by Brighton and Brentford. Eighth place ought to be sufficient for a spot in Uefa’s third-tier competitors subsequent season.
Commercial
Villa survived a late Bournemouth rally and crimson card – Jacob Ramsey was despatched off for a second yellow card within the eightieth minute – earlier than Antoine Semenyo fired throughout aim and simply huge of the far put up. Emiliano Martinez then saved nicely from an Evanilson header and, deep into stoppage time, the Argentine pawed away a back-post effort by Semenyo, permitting Matty Money to move away from beneath the bar with Daniel Jebbison lurking.
Iraola’s anger as Mings escapes crimson
Amadou Onana impressed in midfield within the absence of Villa talisman Youri Tielemans and Tyrone Mings survived a first-half VAR verify after his elbow made contact with Alex Scott’s face. Andoni was not happy and Scott appeared a bit groggy and needed to go away the pitch, however he was deemed match to hold on.
Nonetheless, Scott didn’t reappear after half-time and Iraola later revealed his dissatisfaction with the incident, saying: “We have now despatched Alex for X-rays with the jaw. He went down two occasions within the first 10-Quarter-hour, [leaving us] with 10 gamers, we didn’t know if he might proceed or not… he completed the primary half, however you might see right away he was not nicely.
Commercial
“It was a really harmful problem, very harmful. The second yellow for Ramsey, for me, shouldn’t be a yellow card. However clearly the worth of a crimson card within the eightieth minute in comparison with a crimson card within the sixth minute could be very completely different. However I believe total they competed higher than us.
“It [Scott’s return] will rely upon the X-ray. If his jaw is damaged, it’s over.”
08:29 PM BSTMore on Mings not getting a crimson card…
Sky Sports activities pundits Jamie Redknapp and Lee Hendrie don’t agree with Iraola’s opinion…
08:24 PM BSTAndoni Iraola speaks
Bournemouth supervisor talks in regards to the determination by VAR to not penalise Tyrone Mings after the Villa defender’s elbow caught Alex Scott within the face early within the first half.
Commercial
“We have now despatched Alex for X-rays with the jaw, I don’t know if it’s damaged or not damaged. He went down two occasions within the first 10-Quarter-hour, [leaving us] with 10 gamers, we didn’t know if he might proceed or not… he completed the primary half, however you might see right away he was not nicely.
“It was a really harmful problem, very harmful. The second yellow for Ramsey, for me, shouldn’t be a yellow card. However clearly the worth of a crimson card within the eightieth minute in comparison with a crimson card within the sixth minute could be very completely different.
“However I believe total they competed higher than us.
“It [Scott’s return] will rely upon the X-ray. If his jaw is damaged, it’s over.”
08:05 PM BSTUnai Emery speaks
Thirty-eight matches: our first goal is to be constant. To really feel sturdy for a very long time. Immediately we performed very nicely.
Europe, Europe, we’re in Europe. We have now to attempt to get our greatest dream, and play within the Champions League once more. With this victory we will really feel some risk to get it.
We dominated the primary half then that they had some probabilities on the finish however we saved a clear sheet, and with 10 gamers [at the end].
08:01 PM BSTVilla again in Europe…
…they only wish to guarantee it’s on the high desk now…
07:57 PM BSTOllie Watkins talks
We needed to be actually affected person. Bournemouth are a fantastic staff at house and put us beneath a variety of stress, I needed to look forward to my second and Morgan [Rodgers] put it on a plate for me. I noticed Morgan lookup and made my transfer after which just a little guided contact and it was onerous for the keeper.
It’s a large win, there are many groups pushing for the Champions League and I believe it’ll go to the wire. It’s in our palms now.
On turning into Villa’s all-time high Premier League scorer: It’s a nice achievement for myself personally and you need to rejoice these little wins.
It was tough after the Euros, you don’t get a lot break, and it was mentally actually tough and I picked up a number of niggles and misplaced a few of my energy, however I saved plugging away and I’m lastly beginning to discover some rhythm. Everybody desires to play for his or her nation and England have so many unbelievable gamers to selected from however I have to preserve working onerous and attempt to assist us get a Champions League place.
07:49 PM BSTThat Champions League race in full…07:31 PM BSTFull time: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 1
That was the final probability and Villa maintain on. They simply about deserved it.
07:31 PM BST90 + 4 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 1
Matty Money clears off the road! Semenyo seems to be like he’s bundled in on the again put up however Martinez will get a contact and Money heads it away from hazard with Evanilson lurking.
07:25 PM BST90 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 1
5 minutes added on… and Bournemouth like a late present…
07:24 PM BST89 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 1
Villa appear to have survived that late rally…
07:19 PM BST84 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 1
VAR says no penalty as Kerkez’s shot hits Money on the hand. Would have been very harsh. Good determination.
07:17 PM BST82 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 1
One other lengthy throw from Digne – yawn – and it’s simply cleared.
Commercial
Then Ramsey will get a second yellow card and his marching orders. He was making an attempt to catch Brooks, who was breaking from midfield, and tripped him. Regarded borderline and his first reserving was for a foolish little bit of complaining within the first half.
Semenyo fires throughout aim and simply huge of the far put up. That was the closest the hosts have come.
Then Martinez saves nicely from an Evanilson header. Villa on the ropes a bit!
07:11 PM BST75 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 1
Villa appear like they’re seeing this one out, dealing fairly comfortably with Bournemouth’s anticipated makes an attempt to pin them again. They’re defedning with very good self-discipline and are making the hosts look fairly toothless.
07:05 PM BST70 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 1
Some good, fairly build-up play by Bournemouth however on the subject of the killer ball, the Villa defence simply look too sturdy. Evanilson is getting annoyed.
Commercial
Torres replaces Mings for Villa and McGinn lastly will get on for Asensio.
Smith is changed by David Brooks for the hosts.
07:00 PM BST66 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 1
Lengthy throws are all the fashion and Digne chucks one other one in however Bournemouth head it away with out a lot fuss. John McGinn is getting stripped off for motion, with Asensio to make manner.
06:57 PM BST62 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 1
This has reverted to the marginally stale contest it was as much as in regards to the forty fourth minute, when Villa seemingly out of the blue determined they need to actually attempt to win this. That can go well with to guests, though they are going to kick themselves if Bournemouth discover a manner again into this. Each side want to seek out some extra urgency, for various causes.
06:50 PM BST55 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 1
Bournemouth are attempting to power their manner again into this however Villa look too sturdy for the time being. Emery will need one other aim to kill this off ASAP.
06:44 PM BST48 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 1
Kluivert exhibits some good dancing toes to get away from defenders within the field however then goes down when Martinez dives to the bottom close to him. The referee is having none of it. The Dutchman is fortunate to not be booked. Martinez, who was booked for remonstrating simply earlier than half-time, opts to chuckle this one off. Sensible.
06:41 PM BST46 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 1
Again beneath manner, Bournemouth have introduced on Justin Kluivert for Scott, however Villa threaten first, Kamara taking pictures from the D, fires it throughout Kepa however simply huge.
06:31 PM BSTHalf-time: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 1
Villa go in forward after a late onslaught reaps dividends. Asensio hit the put up, Kamara ought to have scored along with his close-range header (though it was a fantastic save by Kepa) after which Watkins confirmed his class to ghost away from his marker and end delicately. It had been turgid stuff earlier than then. Emery will probably be delighted.
06:23 PM BSTGOAL!
Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 1 (Watkins)
Villa break the impasse. Money wins possession off Semenyo and crosses, Watkins slips his marker Zabarnyi by a number of inches and will get the deftest of touches to flick the ball previous Kepa. A superb end from the England man and it survives a VAR offside verify. He now has 16 objectives within the league this season, essentially the most by an English participant. And he turns into Villa’s report all-time scorer within the Premier League, too.
Commercial
That had been coming after Asensio hit the put up and Kepa’s tremendous save from Kamara in the previous couple of minutes. A deserved lead and Bournemouth will probably be compelled to step it up after the break. Simply what the sport wanted.
06:21 PM BST50 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa
Smith goes into the ebook for hacking down a rampaging Ramsey and Martinez decides to expire of his aim to remonstrate and will get booked too. Ramsey additionally will get a yellow card for not controlling his mood. All very foolish.
06:19 PM BST48 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa
Six minutes added on and Semenyo lobs in one other lengthy throw however it’s meat and drink for Martinez.
Commercial
Villa break and Digne’s cross is met by Kamara a number of yards out. His header is first rate and low, however Kepa makes a fantastic save along with his foot on the road after which fends off Money’s rebound. Huge save from the Spaniard!
06:14 PM BST44 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa
Villa hit the put up! Marco Asensio wriggles into the field and his low shot beats Kepa however bounces again off the bottom of the upright.
06:12 PM BST42 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa
Boubacar Kamara brings down Evanilson however Scott’s free-kick into the field is way too straightforward for Martinez to collect.
06:10 PM BST40 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 0
Alan Smith is sounding a bit sleepy on co-commentary and Sky Sport’s lead man right here, Invoice Leslie, reminds us {that a} level would go well with neither aspect. Hopefully that signifies that they could begin to present a bit extra journey quickly…
06:08 PM BST38 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 0
Bournemouth win a nook however they mess it up and Villa break. Semenyo slides to convey down Ramsey. Asensio swings it in however Kerkez will get sandwiched whereas making an attempt to defend and the hosts get a free-kick.
Commercial
A boring passage of play. Come on lads, entertain us!
06:04 PM BST33 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 0
Somebody with an enormous drum is making an attempt to whip issues up on the Vitality, however the fare on the pitch is in stark distinction at current. This recreation very a lot wants a aim to shake it from its slumber.
06:00 PM BST30 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 0
Marcus Tavernier virtually will get on the tip of a ball whipped in to the again put up for the hosts however can’t fairly attain it.
It’s all a bit scrappy for the time being.
05:58 PM BST28 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 0
Scott goes into the ebook for a tug again on the rampaging Onana, who’s within the thick of it.
Commercial
Asensio’s free-kick is weak and as Bournemouth break, Asensio brings down Evanilson and will get booked too.
Asensio will get booked
05:56 PM BST26 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 0
Onana catches a ball proper within the face off the boot of his team-mate Digne, however the Belgium worldwide is fabricated from stern stuff and he’s advantageous.
Nonetheless ready for this one to catch fireplace…
05:51 PM BST20 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 0
Martinez within the Villa aim involves the rescue of Mings, stopping his header from turning into an personal aim because the Villa defender leapt to attempt to clear beneath stress from Evanilson.
05:48 PM BST17 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 0
Onana, in for the injured Tielemans, has had a very good begin, utilizing his appreciable body to good impact to interrupt up Bournemouth assaults and launch counters.
Commercial
Scott is down once more, maybe nonetheless struggling after the affect with Mings’ elbow. Yep he’s holding his jaw and he comes off the aspect of the pitch, however will probably be coming again on…
05:44 PM BST14 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 0
A barrelling run from Onana by way of the midfield creates taking pictures probabilities for Watkins and Ramsey, each of whom are thwarted by the host defence. That was promising.
05:42 PM BST12 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 0
That took some time however a wincing Kepa is OK to hold on…
05:40 PM BST10 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 0
Digne launches an extended throw into the field and Kepa spills it however, as is commonly the best way when a keeper is challenged, the referee blows his whistle and the hazard passes for the hosts.
Commercial
Kepa seems to be to have damage his hand and the medic is on to take a look.
05:37 PM BST7 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 0
Onana is hustled out of possession in midfield however the former Everton man does nicely to get again to clear the hazard from the sting of defence as Bournemouth look to threaten. VAR had a have a look at Mings’ elbow hitting Scott’s face, however they don’t assume it was something malicious. Andoni doesn’t see it that manner.
05:33 PM BST2 minutes: Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 0
A cagey begin after which Bournemouth threaten to construct one thing however Semenyo hoofs a cross from the left over the field and into the stands.
05:30 PM BSTAnd we’re off…
Below manner on the Vitality…
05:29 PM BSTLittle floor, massive goals…
Immediately’s venue, the Vitality Stadium – or Dean Court docket for these of us extra superior in years – is the smallest within the Premier League with a capability of 11,307.
Commercial
Nonetheless, they may very well be internet hosting European giants like Djurgaarden, Noah and Astana subsequent season…
Vitality Stadium
05:17 PM BSTAndoni Iraola speaks
The Bournemouth supervisor was simply requested by Sky Sports activities in regards to the damage that has taken the in-form Dango Ouattara out of competition:
“It’s going to be tough for him to play [again this season] so let’s give attention to those taking part in at this time. He was taking part in very nicely, however it occurs to all of the groups and we now have to adapt. I belief the payers who can be found.
“Villa are such a powerful aspect so we’ll want a whole efficiency at this time.”
05:12 PM BSTUnai Emery speaks
The Aston Villa supervisor was clear on his staff’s ambitions when interviewed by Sky Sports activities simply now:
Commercial
“Europe, Europe, Europe.
“In fact that’s the goal, Champions League shouldn’t be in our palms however we’re going to combat for every thing.”
On the damage high key midfielder Youri Tielemans, Emery stated: “We have now sufficient gamers to play with our id, so now it’s time for Onana and Barclay and Kamara.”
05:09 PM BSTResults from 3pm kick-offs
Blended information from the 3pm kick-offs for Bournemouth when it comes to the race for Europe, will their rivals Brighton and Brentford wining, whereas Fulham misplaced. These outcomes see them drop from eighth to tenth, however they’ll reclaim eighth with a win at this time.
Excellent news for Villa as Man Metropolis have been held to a 0-0 draw at relegated Southampton, preserving Pep Guardiola’s aspect inside hanging distance within the race for the Champions League (a win at this time would put Villa simply two factors behind third-placed Metropolis)
Commercial
Fulham 1 Everton 3Ipswich 0 Brentford 1Southampton 0 Man Metropolis 0Wolves 0 Brighton 2
05:01 PM BSTSaudis circling Villa
Villa, in the meantime, are liable to shedding two gamers to the Saudi professional League, with Emiliano Martinez (beneath) and Leon Bailey .
Emiliano Martinez
04:55 PM BSTCherry-pickers
As is the best way for over-achieving golf equipment, Bournemouth are braced for a summer season keeping off makes an attempt by rival golf equipment to cherry-pick (sorry) their finest gamers, with £50m-rated Spain worldwide , whereas his Ukrainian centre-back associate Illya Zabarnyi is reportedly fancied by PSG and Man Metropolis, and Hungarian wing-back Milos Kerkez has been closely linked with Liverpool.
The much-admired Dean Huijsen – Getty Pictures/Robin Jones
Such is life for the smaller golf equipment, and whereas it’s comprehensible that gamers wish to play on the highest potential degree and their golf equipment are sometimes completely satisfied to make an honest revenue, it’s continuously a irritating expertise for his or her followers who simply wish to see development and extra success.
04:48 PM BSTCaptain incredible
Bournemouth membership captain Adam Smith, who’s again within the beginning XI at this time, will make his four-hundredth look for the Cherries.
Commercial
His supervisor Andoni Iraola this week paid tribute to the 34-year-old who got here out of the Tottenham youth system and joined Bournemouth in 2014.
“You must be persistently performing very nicely [to reach 400 matches] and preventing towards your team-mates in your place,” stated the Spaniard. “He desires to coach nicely every single day and is somebody who could be very dependable. He understands his strengths and weaknesses.”
Adam Smith
04:35 PM BSTVilla’s mini-wobble
Immediately’s guests appear to have had a troublesome run of late, crashing out of the Champions League valiantly towards PSG, being surprisingly over-run and thumped by Palace within the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, and shedding 2-1 at Man Metropolis (no disgrace in that, in fact). However a wider have a look at the shape ebook exhibits that Emery’s aspect have 11 wins and simply three defeats of their final 14 matches in all competitions, which features a 4-1 win over Newcastle final month and final weekend’s edgy 1-0 win over Fulham, during which over a late lack of focus.
04:33 PM BSTBournemouth again on monitor
Immediately’s hosts are unbeaten of their final 5 Premier League matches, with two wins and three attracts, their final outing being a final Saturday. That run has put their European problem again heading in the right direction after a dangerous run of 4 defeats and one draw as winter become spring.
04:16 PM BSTVilla line-up
4 modifications by Emery with Tyrone Mings and Lucas Digne into the again line rather than Pau Torres and Ian Maatsen.
Commercial
In midfield, Amadou Onana is available in for Youri Tielemans, who misses his first league match of the season with a muscle damage.
Up entrance, John McGinn drops out for Jacob Ramsey.
Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford (hamstring) can be out.
Line-up: Martinez, Money, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Onana, Rogers, Asensio, Ramsey, Watkins.Subs: Olsen, Disasi, Torres, Maatsen, Garcia, Barkley, Bailey, Malen, McGinn.
04:15 PM BSTBournemouth line-up
Three modifications for the hosts as Antoine Semenyo replaces the injured Dango Ouattara.
In defence, captain Adam Smith begins forward of Julian Araujo and Alex Scott is most popular to Justin Kluivert in midfield.
Commercial
Line-up: Arrizabalaga, Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez, Adams, Prepare dinner, Semenyo, Scott, Tavernier, Evanilson. Subs: Dennis, Senesi, Brooks, Kluivert, Soler, Jebbison, Araujo, Hill, Winterburn.
04:10 PM BSTEurope of their sights
Welcome to our stay protection of Bournemouth vs Aston Villa with either side trying to take a step nearer to securing European soccer subsequent season.
Villa began the day in seventh and will probably be hoping to maneuver as much as sixth place, degree on factors with fifth-placed Chelsea and fourth-placed Newcastle – who play one another on Sunday. The highest 5 will qualify for the Champions League this season.
Commercial
Bournemouth, in the meantime, are in a four-way tussle with the three different “over-performing smaller golf equipment” – Fulham, Brighton and Brentford – all of whom are in motion as we communicate and will leapfrog Bournemouth into the coveted eighth spot that can probably ship Europa Convention League participation subsequent time period.
Whereas the massive boys could scoff at Uefa’s third-tier match, for smaller groups it’s a probability for a sure diploma of glamour and the possibility to draw/preserve maintain of gamers, albeit an journey that comes with the danger of inflicting a tanking of league kind.
However strive telling Bournemouth followers, whose membership have by no means earlier than competed in Europe, that journeys to little-known Jap Europe venues lack pleasure.
Their widely-admired supervisor Andoni Iraola is anticipated to be a lot wanted this summer season, however there was a sense down in Dorset that the 42-year-old Spaniard , particularly if European soccer might be secured.
Commercial
Upwardly cell Villa, in the meantime, are battling to make sure that an exciting marketing campaign during which they reached the final eight of the Champions League and the final 4 of the FA Cup ends with them again at Uefa’s high desk subsequent season.
After at this time, Villa tackle Tottenham at house and Manchester United away however their supervisor, Unai Emery, maybe feels these two will probably be pondering solely of their Europa League closing conflict, as he declared at this time’s match to be Villa’s hardest remaining task.
“It’s an important match, our highest check within the Premier League within the final matches we play,” Emery stated. “They’re performing incredible. It’s not a shock, final yr, this yr, they’re competing to get European positions as nicely. The coach, Andoni, is actually doing a incredible job. They’ve excellent gamers, proficient gamers.”
Group information incoming shortly…