Ollie Watkins turned Aston Villa’s all-time file Premier League goalscorer after scoring the one aim of the sport as Unai Emery’s facet emerged 1-0 winners in opposition to Bournemouth.
Watkins netted his seventy fifth Premier League aim for Villa within the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time to maneuver above Gabriel Agbonlahor and transfer his facet stage on factors with Chelsea and Newcastle.
Bournemouth piled on the stress late on after Jacob Ramsey had been despatched off for a second bookable offence for the guests however Emery’s facet held on to maintain their top-five hopes firmly alive.
For the Cherries, defeat leaves them in tenth spot, two factors behind Brentford and Bournemouth after each side picked up wins within the battle for a possible Convention League place.
Getting the job executed 👊 #BOUAVL pic.twitter.com/W6xU6V8S49
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 10, 2025
A closely-fought affair
It was a largely cagey first half on a sunny south coast, with neither goalkeeper actually being examined throughout the opening exchanges.
For the hosts, who loved the vast majority of the early possession, it appeared endurance was the secret. Villa, in the meantime, appeared glad to bide their time and catch Bournemouth on the break.
It took till the twenty fourth minute for both facet to register a shot on track, Evanilson’s header doing little to hassle Emi Martinez within the guests’ aim.
From there, little may separate the 2 groups. However shortly earlier than half-time, Villa started to have a spell. Marco Asensio’s low effort cannoned off the put up earlier than Kepa saved properly from Boubacar Kamara’s fierce header.
Then, within the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time, Villa broke the impasse when Watkins utilized the deftest of touches to Morgan Rogers’ cross and the ball nestled into the far nook.
OLLIE WATKINS! 🔥
The scenes for Aston Villa! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/l2eAS9ZTeh
— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 10, 2025
The second-half started considerably livelier however principally performed out in a lot the identical trend as the primary, with little or no to separate the 2 groups.
Each managers rang the modifications because the half wore on however the replacements provided little affect.
Nonetheless, with 10 minutes remaining, Ramsey picked up his second yellow card for a foul on David Brooks and Villa have been compelled to finish the sport a participant down.
It sparked a Bournemouth revival. Antoine Semenyo flashed a shot narrowly large shortly earlier than Martinez was known as into motion to palm away Evanilson’s goal-bound header.
Illia Zabarnyi headed straight at Martinez after which, in harm time, Semenyo’s header throughout aim was scrambled away by Matty Money on the road when an equaliser appeared the probably end result.
The Cherries did not make the late stress pay leaving the 10-man of Villa to take all three factors and transfer stage with Chelsea and Newcastle.
Emery’s facet have now certified for Europe for the third successive season. However their eyes will firmly be on securing a top-five end and a spot within the continent’s elite membership competitors.
