Watkins Strike Lifts Aston Villa Over Bournemouth in Tight European Race
Aston Villa kept their Champions League hopes alive with a narrow 1-0 away win over AFC Bournemouth on Matchday 36 of the Premier League 2024/25 season, thanks to a decisive first-half goal from in-form striker Ollie Watkins.
Andoni Iraola's side featured Ukrainian international defender Illia Zabarnyi in the starting XI, but he and his backline could do little to prevent Watkins from netting the winner late in the first half. Zabarnyi was booked and eventually subbed off in the 88th minute as Bournemouth chased a way back into the match—but to no avail.
The defeat sees Bournemouth slip to 10th in the standings, while Aston Villa leapfrog Nottingham Forest into 6th place. Villa are now level on points (63) with both Newcastle United (4th) and Chelsea (5th), intensifying the race for the final UEFA Champions League spots.
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2024-25, England - Premier League
Bournemouth - Aston Villa 0:1 (0:1)
Goals: Watkins, 45 (0:1)
Bournemouth: Arrizabalaga; Huijsen; Kerkez M. (Jebbison, 88); Smith Adam (Brooks, 70); Zabarnyi (Araujo J., 88); Adams T. (Senesi, 76); Cook L.; Scott A. (Kluivert, 46); Tavernier; Evanilson; Semenyo
Bench: Dennis W.; Soler; Hill; Winterburn
Yellow Cards: Scott A. 27; Smith Adam 45; Zabarnyi 78; Huijsen 83
Aston Villa: Martinez E.; Konsa; Mings (Torres Pau, 70); Digne; Onana A.; Kamara B.; Cash; Watkins; Asensio (McGinn J., 70); Ramsey J. (till 80); Rogers M. (Maatsen I., 89)
Bench: Olsen R.; Disasi; Barkley; Robledo; Malen; Bailey
Yellow Cards: Asensio 28; Martinez E. 45; Ramsey J. 45, 80; Konsa 90
Red cards: Ramsey J. 80'
