Without outclassing a plucky Bournemouth, Aston Villa dominated from first to last. Douglas Luiz and Ollie Watkins were outstanding, but they were ably supported by a cast of supporting actors as head coach Unai Emery’s theories began to take hold.
Yet, with Villa kicking off in 11th place seeking their third win in four and head coach Emery’s program notes asking only for a top-10 finish, next season is already beginning to loom.
No such relaxed concerns for Bournemouth though. Fresh from last week’s triumph over Liverpool they still found themselves in grave peril and in the mire after just seven minutes when Watkins’s deflected cross fell to Leon Bailey at the back of the penalty area. Bailey crossed low and Luiz poked in his first goal since New Year’s Day.
Bournemouth’s defending had been slipshod for the goal and with Watkins bearing down on a shellshocked Jack Stephens, Bailey terrorizing Lloyd Kelly and Emiliano Buendia a will-o’-the-wisp figure flitting through the chasms in Bournemouth’s defense at will.
Slowly, though, Villa began to lose concentration as Bournemouth regained their composure. Emiliano Martinez spilling Dominic Solanke’s drive was something of a wake-up call and soon Neto was saving splendidly from Watkins, who, once again, had outpaced the visiting defense and Stephens was throwing himself in the line of Jacob Ramsey’s goalbound drive.
A change of ends at half-time, but no change in the overall direction of play. Neto again foiled Watkins after the striker wriggled around Stephens once again.
Bournemouth still toileted manfully. A double substitution just before the hour gave them a little more offensive impetus and just after it they had their best chances, of the afternoon, first when Phillip Billing’s free kick was brilliantly tipped over by Martinez, then when Hamed Traore’s terrific through ball set Solanke free, only for a flying Tyrone Mings interception to save the day and the points.
All the ground applauded in the 79th minute when Adam Smith was replaced by David Brooks, the Welsh winger made his first appearance since September 2021, when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma. A minute later the cheers were almost as loud when Watkins headed Luiz’s free kick into Ramsey’s path. The tyro skipped around Stephens and planted the ball beyond Neto.
It could have been more but for Neto’s heroics against Watkins and Mings, although there was still time for a third when Mings headed on Luiz’s corner and Buendia headed in. Villa this had been a fine afternoon. Bournemouth, as ever, have a lot to ponder.