Aston Villa staged a comeback to secure a victory against Bournemouth, maintaining their pursuit of a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.
Just days after securing a spot in the Europa Conference League semi-finals with a penalty shootout triumph over Lille, Villa had to quickly shift their focus to maintaining their highest Premier League position in nearly three decades.
The match didn’t start favorably for Villa, as Bournemouth earned a penalty opportunity when Matty Cash fouled Milos Kerkez, allowing top scorer Dominic Solanke to convert from the spot.
However, Villa maintained a positive outlook and were rewarded just before halftime when January acquisition Morgan Rogers found the net with a powerful strike.
Despite their Europa League exertions on Thursday, Villa displayed resilience and appeared to grow stronger as the match progressed.
Winger Moussa Diaby put Villa ahead in the 57th minute with a goal that capped off an impressive team move, while Leon Bailey extended the lead 20 minutes later.
Villa remains in fourth place, now with a six-point lead over Tottenham in fifth, although Spurs have two games in hand. Bournemouth sits in 13th place.
What a difference a week makes
Aston Villa has enjoyed a week filled with celebrations, a stark contrast from the month’s beginning, which saw them earn just one point from two league matches.
Their victorious streak started last Sunday with a win against Premier League title contenders Arsenal. On Thursday, they advanced past Lille on penalties, securing a spot in their first major European semi-final since 1982. Their latest match at Villa Park continued the trend, solidifying their position as contenders for a top-four finish.
Right from the start, Villa displayed composure and control, dictating play and steadily advancing up the pitch, although they initially struggled to create significant goal-scoring opportunities.
It wasn’t until Rogers’ equalizer in injury time of the first half that Villa managed a shot on target. Rogers, who joined Villa Park in January from Middlesbrough for £8m, has seamlessly integrated into the team and demonstrated maturity with his second league goal for the club. He skillfully evaded Adam Smith’s challenge before calmly placing his shot above goalkeeper Neto.
Villa found their rhythm as the second half commenced, with Ollie Watkins making two attempts on goal. However, it was Watkins who turned provider, setting up Diaby to give the hosts the lead.
Despite Unai Emery’s side’s efforts to equalize, Villa extended their lead in the 78th minute. Watkins, who leads the Premier League in assists with 12, broke into the area and delivered a pass to Bailey, who had a straightforward finish.