A Villa 3 – 1 B’mouth

Aston Villa got here from behind to beat Bournemouth 3-1 at Villa Park and strengthen their grip on a Champions League spot.

Dominic Solanke’s first-half penalty had prompted fears of a hangover from Villa’s Europa Convention League commitments, however Morgan Rogers scored a superb equaliser late within the first half and Moussa Diaby completed a fantastic crew transfer to show the sport round.

Leon Bailey made it three from a second Ollie Watkins help to make sure the three factors that take Unai Emery’s facet six away from fifth-placed Tottenham within the race for the fourth Champions League berth. Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth facet stay thirteenth.

How Villa turned the sport round

There was a rapturous reception for European hero Emiliano Martinez earlier than kick-off however these exertions in opposition to Lille on Thursday night appeared to have had a damaging impression on the vitality ranges of the Villa gamers with Bournemouth beginning brightly.

Matty Money’s lunge on Milos Kerkez introduced the reward for the Cherries’ enterprising opening and gifted Solanke the chance to place the guests forward from the spot. Martinez was unable to maintain this penalty out, beating him away to his proper.

That sparked Villa and their supporters just a little however it was not till first-half stoppage-time that they have been stage. Ryan Christie was robbed, permitting Bailey to spring the counter-attack and Rogers did fantastically to chop inside and strike the ball excessive into the web.

Villa, with out Douglas Luiz pulling the strings in midfield, struggled for rhythm in that opening 45 minutes however what drive there was to their play was offered by Rogers. It was the January signing who helped arrange the aim that put his facet in entrance too.

Rogers’ threaded cross discovered Watkins and the Villa striker jinked inside earlier than sliding his cross completely into the trail of Diaby, who completed low past Neto to finish the turnaround. It was one other slick crew transfer to please the Villa Park crowd.

The onus was on Bournemouth to search out an equaliser of their very own however Villa have been a unique animal having discovered their rhythm and Bailey sealed the deserved win when he tapped in from Watkins’ cross-shot after extra good work by the tireless striker.

They noticed out the victory that takes them six factors away from Spurs. It has been an impressive week for Villa. That win over Arsenal has been adopted by a dramatic success in Europe and now this. A particular season could possibly be set for the ending that it deserves.

Emery: We’re going to struggle Spurs

“I’m very happy with our work and really happy with our supporters,” Emery informed Sky Sports activities. “The ambiance was improbable, an environment to play a match with the motivation like we did.

“These three factors is essential as a result of the Premier League misplaced the fifth place for the Champions League subsequent season. Now the work and problem is harder as a result of it’s to get fourth.

“We’re going to struggle with Tottenham, who’ve two matches of their fingers. It will be very troublesome however we’ve to just accept this problem.

“We’re going to give attention to every match, we’re going to get pleasure from in the present day after this week, we completed fantastically the week. Subsequent Saturday is a problem, right here at house in opposition to Chelsea, and we’re going to be very motivated.”

Iraola: Factors file is goal now

“Two totally different halves for us,” mentioned Iraola. “I feel we have been higher within the first half, dealt very properly with very troublesome forwards. We transitioned properly, performed the sport that we wished. The important thing second, we’re main 1-0 and commit too many gamers, concede 1-1.

“Within the second half, we weren’t so strong, couldn’t defend properly. Left one in opposition to one, troublesome eventualities for defenders, and we couldn’t present the assistance we did within the first half. If we don’t defend as properly, not nearly as good with out the ball, it prices us with the ball.”

Requested about dropping one other lead, Iraola replied: “We now have additionally recovered numerous factors late.” With any European hopes now absolutely extinguished, the Cherries boss was requested what the goal was for the rest of the Premier League season.

“The clear aim is to beat the factors file of Bournemouth,” he revealed. That’s now 4 factors away. “We are able to do it however we’ve troublesome video games. If we wish to get the factors we would like, we’ve to have excellent performances. In the present day, we couldn’t do it.”

Villa’s win in stats

• Aston Villa have received 20 Premier League matches this season, the primary time they’ve executed so because the first ever marketing campaign in 1992-93 (received 21).
• Aston Villa have scored 71 Premier League targets this season, solely the second time they’ve netted that many in a marketing campaign within the competitors, additionally scoring 71 in 2007-08.
• Ollie Watkins has now had a hand in 31 Premier League targets for Aston Villa this season (19 targets, 12 assists) – he is solely the ninth English participant to attain or help 30+ targets in a 38-game season.
• His 12 assists have been bettered by only one Villa participant in a single season – Ashley Younger in 2007-08 (14).
• Morgan Rogers has had a hand in three targets in his final 4 Premier League appearances, netting in every of his final two at Villa Park.
• Leon Bailey has been straight concerned in 26 targets in all competitions for Aston Villa this season, with in the present day the fourth time this season he has scored and assisted in a recreation in 2023-24.

What’s subsequent?

Aston Villa host Chelsea subsequent on Saturday April 27, kick-off 8pm.

Bournemouth are at Wolves on Wednesday April 24, kick-off 7.45pm.