Aston Villa secured a 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Sunday to seal a significant boost in our pursuit of Champions League qualification for next season.
The visitors took the lead in the first half through a penalty from Dominic Solanke, but goals from Morgan Rogers, Moussa Diaby and Leon Bailey turned things around and moved us six points clear of Tottenham, albeit they have two games in hand.
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After our exploits in Europe in midweek, there was a fear that Villa would struggle in this one both physically and emotionally as it’s been a taxing schedule for the players.
However, once again they showed great resilience, determination and desire to put a huge shift in, and produce the quality needed to unlock Bournemouth and pick up our 20th win of the league campaign.
Fortunately, we now have a break until we face Chelsea on Saturday night, but this was a massive result in what has been a simply exceptional week across two fronts.
Aston Villa player ratings vs Bournemouth:
Emiliano Martinez, 7.5 – Couldn’t replicate his penalty heroics from midweek to deny Solanke, but made some key saves during the course of the game to allow us to secure the win. Important as always.
Matty Cash, 6.5 – Marked down for giving away the penalty as it was a lazy challenge and there was concern it could impact his performance thereafter. To his credit though, he bounced back well from it and put in a solid display as his durability also continues to impress off the back of an injury layoff.
Ezri Konsa, 8 – Excellent shift again as he continued in his preferred centre-half role. Did well to limit Solanke’s threat, and he was composed in possession to help us build our play out from the back.
Pau Torres, 8 – As is the case whenever we play a side with a high press and high energy in our third, the Spaniard’s calmness and passing is fundamental to how we play. Was switched on defensively, vital on the ball, and almost sneaked up the other end of the pitch to score in the first half.
Lucas Digne, 6.5 – Had his hands full defensively as Bournemouth really tested him down that side of the pitch and so he struggled at times. Had a couple of great openings to provide a telling cross, but couldn’t find his target. Still, a decent shift.
Leon Bailey, 8 – Super pass to set Rogers through for his goal, and he continues to provide a spark and sense of excitement whenever he picks up the ball as he’s consistently offering a threat in attack. An integral figure in how Emery wants us to play.
John McGinn, 8 – What a shift from the Villa skipper. Back in the central midfield role where he has excelled and gave us an important balance again with his defensive work. Used his physicality, energy and tenacity well to give us presence in that battle to gain control as the game went on.
Youri Tielemans, 8 – Classy in possession and with his distribution, as he was crucial in our transition from defence to attack with his eye for a pass to set the likes of Watkins or Diaby away. Relishing playing in that central role, and so it will be interesting to see what Emery does next week with Douglas Luiz returning from suspension.
Morgan Rogers, 8.5 – Another really impressive showing as he played a pivotal role in the final third with his link-up play to help us find rhythm and fluidity in attack. Took his goal brilliantly as his touch and finish was top class. Emery praised him on Friday for the way he’s adapted and taken his tactical demands on board, and the 21-year-old added another top shift in this one.
Moussa Diaby, 7 – Improvement still needed from the Frenchman as he missed a big chance in the first half and needs to be stronger in challenges as he lost possession in the lead up to the Bournemouth penalty. Importantly though, he made up for that with his goal to put us ahead, and he looked more confident from that point onwards.
Ollie Watkins, 8.5 – A superb performance that reiterated his case to be named Player of the Season. Whether it was spinning off in behind or into the channels to find space or holding up the ball to provide a link to our attacks, Watkins capped it off with two excellent assists. Almost unplayable in the second half, and while he’s now moved to 30 goal involvements in 33 Premier League games this season, the only thing missing was indeed finding the back of the net himself.
Substitutes:
Diego Carlos, N/A
Jhon Duran, N/A
Kaine Kesler-Hayden, N/A
