Unai Emery’s Aston Villa just don’t know when to quit as they snatched a draw late on in a thriller at Bournemouth.
Antoine Semenyo made the most of a defensive error to put Bournemouth ahead early on but Leon Bailey soon made it 1-1 as the game ebbed and flowed throughout. With plenty of yellow cards dished out and chances galore at either end, both Emiliano Martinez and Neto made fine saves and Diego Carlos was denied a goal by VAR as he was just offside.
Bournemouth regained the lead early in the second half through Dominic Solanke and they could have extended their lead but the brilliant Martinez came up big and that allowed Villa to grab a point late on.
A cross into the box in the 90th minute found Ollie Watkins and the red-hot striker did superbly to send a header into the far corner and grab a point for Champions League-chasing Villa.
With the point Bournemouth now have 13 on the season and sit six points above the drop zone, while Villa remain in fourth spot and have 29 points.
Villa’s balance must improve if they want top four finish
If Aston Villa are serious about finishing in the Champions League, and they should be because it is definitely achievable, then they have to improve defensively. Yes, they were coming off the back of midweek European action and were missing Matty Cash at right back but the way Bournemouth carved them open down their left-flank and centrally is a big problem for Unai Emery. Individual errors were costly but so too was a lack of balance defensively. If Villa are going to stay towards the top of the Premier League they have to learn to control games better. Last weekend they won at Tottenham but weathered some serious storms and hit on the counter to prevail. Villa can’t expect to sit back and soak up pressure week after week and keep winning. They lost at Nottingham Forest recently by doing that and almost suffered the same fate away at Bournemouth. Unai Emery’s tactics are risky and when it works on the counter it is incredibly impactful. But right now Villa are hanging on too much in games and relying on Emiliano Martinez to pull off several stunning saves, per game, to see them through. Somehow, Villa must limit the opposition big chances while also creating plenty of their own. Balance is key and right now it’s just off for Villa but they’re riding their luck and that is why they’re in the top four.
Bournemouth vs Aston Villa player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com, Bournemouth’s attackers had themselves a day and so did Aston Vila’s midfield and Watkins. This was a game where the attackers thrived and defenders struggled.
What’s next?
Bournemouth head to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, Dec. 6. Aston Villa host Manchester City on the same day.
How to watch Bournemouth vs Aston Villa live, stream link, time
Kickoff: 9 am ET, Sunday (Dec. 3)
TV channel: Peacock
Online: Watch via Peacock Premium
Full time: Bournemouth 2-2 Aston Villa
An absolute beauty of a game ends even and that is probably about right, although Bournemouth had chances to seal the win and Andoni Iraola will be kicking himself a little.
Ollie Watkins equalizes late on! Bournemouth 2-2 Aston Villa (90th minute)
What a header from Watkins and he makes it 2-2 in the 90th minute. He runs back to the halfway line. Can Villa win it!?
Watkins rescues Aston Villa late v. Bournemouth
Just when Aston Villa needed him most, Ollie Watkins’ clever header finds the back of the net to make it 2-2 against Bournemouth late in the second half at Vitality Stadium.
Villa hit the post through Duran, while Tavernier comes close
He’s off the bench and causing problems as Duran turns and his deflected shot hits the post. So close to an equalizer for Villa. At the other end Tavernier looks certain to score but Alex Moreno makes an excellent last-ditch block. Honestly, this game could be 5-5.
What a save from Martinez!
It looks certain to be 3-1 as a cross from the right finds Solanke and he smashes towards goal from three yards out but somehow Martinez makes another fine save.
The Cherries are ahead and it is that man Solanke – Bournemouth 2-1 Aston Villa (52nd minute)
Kerkez finds Solanke and he turns and sweeps home superbly and Bournemouth are back in front.
Solanke turns and finishes to take lead v. Villa
A smooth turn and finish from Dominic Solanke gives Bournemouth a 2-1 lead over Aston Villa at Vitality Stadium.
Half time: Bournemouth 1-1 Aston Villa
And breathe! What an amazing first half. It could easily be 3-3. Bournemouth have created so many chances but Villa have had theirs too. Two teams full of confidence creating plenty of opportunities. Lovely stuff.
Chaos at both ends!
At one end Kluivert is played in but Konsa makes a miraculous last-ditch tackle, whilt at the other end Douglas Luiz thinks he has scored but Neto saves well. This game just keeps on delivering wild moments.
Semenyo, Solanke denied by Martinez
This has been a brilliant game so far. Really end-to-end and Martinez makes two great stops to deny Semenyo and Solanke.
No goal for Diego Carlos!
What a turnaround from Villa as Carlos finishes to put them ahead… But hang on. After a lenghty check, VAR rules it out for offside. It is still 1-1.
Leon Bailey equalizes with a fine solo effort – Bournemouth 1-1 Aston Villa (20th minute)
Bailey with a wonderful run inside and his low finish sneaks inside the far post. Villa are level and have responded well to going behind.
Bailey drills home Villa’s equalizer v. Cherries
Leon Bailey cuts inside onto his foot and unleashes a vicious strike into the back of the net to put Aston Villa against Bournemouth at the Vitality.
Bournemouth take the lead against Aston Villa as Antoine Semenyo slots home! – Bournemouth 1-0 Aston Villa (10th minute)
The Cherries take the lead after a mistake from Villa sees Semenyo played in and he finishes low past Martinez. Bournemouth have started really well and Villa’s defense was all over the place there.
Semenyo powers Bournemouth 1-0 in front of Villa
Antoine Semenyo gets a second chance in front of goal and makes the most of it to give the Cherries a shock 1-0 lead over Aston Villa at the Vitality.
So close for Bournemouth as Marcus Tavernier whips a shot just wide!
Almost the perfect start for the hosts as Tavernier cuts inside and curls just wide of the far post. Bournemouth have pinned Villa back early on. Zaniolo does have a shot but it is high, wide and not at all handsome.
Bournemouth lineup
Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Solanke
Aston Villa lineup
Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Bailey, Luiz, Tielemans, McGinn; Zaniolo, Watkins
Focus on Bournemouth, injury news
OUT: Maximillian Aarons (hamstring), Tyler Adams (hamstring – out until February), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Lloyd Kelly (thigh), Emiliano Marcondes (ankle), Darren Randolph (illness), Alex Scott (knee)
Focus on Aston Villa, injury news
OUT: Emiliano Buendia (torn ACL – out for season), Tyrone Mings (torn ACL – out for season), Boubacar Kamara (suspension), Bertrand Traore (undisclosed)
Sophie Anderson, a UK-based writer, is your guide to the latest trends, viral sensations, and internet phenomena. With a finger on the pulse of digital culture, she explores what’s trending across social media and pop culture, keeping readers in the know about the latest online sensations.
