By admin 
Ollie Watkins grew to become Aston Villa’s all-time document Premier League goalscorer after scoring the one purpose of the sport as Unai Emery’s facet emerged 1-0 winners towards Bournemouth.
Watkins netted his seventy fifth Premier League purpose 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 strain 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 finished 👊 #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 nearly all of the early possession, it appeared persistence was the secret. Villa, in the meantime, appeared pleased 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 course, Evanilson’s header doing little to hassle Emi Martinez within the guests’ purpose.
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 publish earlier than Kepa saved nicely 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 largely performed out in a lot the identical trend as the primary, with little or no to separate the 2 groups.
Each managers rang the adjustments because the half wore on however the replacements provided little impression.
Nonetheless, with 10 minutes remaining, Ramsey picked up his second yellow card for a foul on David Brooks and Villa had been pressured to finish the sport a participant down.
It sparked a Bournemouth revival. Antoine Semenyo flashed a shot narrowly extensive shortly earlier than Martinez was referred to as into motion to palm away Evanilson’s goal-bound header.
Illia Zabarnyi headed straight at Martinez after which, in damage time, Semenyo’s header throughout purpose was scrambled away by Matty Money on the road when an equaliser seemed the more than likely final result.
The Cherries didn’t make the late strain 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.