Bournemouth 2-2 Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins' late header earns top-four hopefuls point on south coast

Ollie Watkins' 90th-minute header rescued a point for top-four hopefuls Aston Villa as they drew 2-2 with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Watkins, passed fit to start on the south coast despite experiencing "small pain" in training this week, rose highest to reach a Moussa Diaby cross just when Bournemouth looked to have held on for all three points.

Unai Emery's side headed into the fixture in impressive form but fell behind early on when Antoine Semenyo fired home for the hosts following a mistake by Diego Carlos (10). Villa were back on level terms just 10 minutes later though when Leon Bailey cut in from the right and rifled an effort into the bottom corner from inside the box (20).

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The visitors had their tails up and looked to have completed an immediate turnaround thanks to Carlos' close-range finish from a free-kick into the box, but after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was disallowed for offside against Lucas Digne in the build-up.

Following a feisty first half which saw five yellow cards brandished by referee Thomas Bramall, the contest calmed down after the break - for seven minutes at least - until Dominic Solanke put Bournemouth back in front with his eighth goal in all competitions this season following fine work by Milos Kerkez (52).

Villa responded and almost equalised again when substitute Jhon Duran's deflected shot wrong-footed Neto and struck a post, and they eventually found the moment they had been searching for when Watkins scored his 13th goal this term late on (90).

Villa stay fourth, two points above Tottenham and three above Newcastle. Bournemouth, who had won three of their previous four games before this result, remain 16th and are six points above the relegation zone.

Iraola: We cannot be happy

Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola: "It is a hard one to take because before the game you would take a point against Villa, but considering how the team played and the chances we had we cannot be happy.

"In the end we could not score the third goal even though we had clear chances and we also have to congratulate their goalkeeper who made two or three spectacular saves.

"After the start of the season we needed to improve and we've been doing that. We are understanding each other better and the players are physically in a good place. It is obvious we are playing better than we were.

"They are winning duels against tough opposition, but we have to continue because this is a good level from us and it's only enough for one point."

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On Dominic Solanke's performance, Iraola said: "Dom scored one very good goal with good movement from a No 9 and he had two very close chances, but their goalkeeper was amazing.

"He read the situations very well and he has had three or four very clear chances, which is a good sign for the team for him personally. I hope he continues at this level."

Emery: It's a very good point

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery: "It's a very good point. I am very happy with the performance. We have to build a team and I am trying to give everyone chances.

"They have to feel important and playing with personality and get stronger, not only the first 11 but the squad."

On Ollie Watkins, who was a fitness doubt heading into the fixture, Emery said: "He's strong. When he's feeling good physically he can play matches in a row like we are playing."

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How the match played out...

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Fantasy Premier League stats

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Opta stats: Watkins is Mr Consistent for Villa

• Ollie Watkins is only the fourth Aston Villa player to provide 6+ goals and 6+ assists in consecutive Premier League seasons for the club.
• Aston Villa have now conceded in eight consecutive Premier League matches, their longest such run since a run of 11 between May and September 2022.
• Bournemouth are now unbeaten in their last three Premier League matches (W2 D1), their longest unbeaten run in the competition since October 2022 (run of 6).
• Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke has now scored seven league goals this season, his best return in a single Premier League season.

What's next?

Live: SNF

Bournemouth travel to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday (kick-off 7.30pm) before taking on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Up next for Aston Villa are two mouthwatering home fixtures. Manchester City visit Villa Park first on Wednesday (kick-off 8.15pm) before Arsenal make the journey to the West Midlands on Saturday (kick-off 5.30pm), live on Sky Sports.

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