Aston Villa go into the International break following a comfortable 3-0 home win over Premier League strugglers, Bournemouth. The win makes it four games without defeat for Unai Emery’s side, who have picked up three clean sheets in the run.
The scoreline was the best under Emery, bettering their 3-1 victory over Manchester United.
Bournemouth arrived at Villa Park on the back of a 1-0 victory over Liverpool, while also holding Arsenal right to the death before conceding in the 97th minute to lose 3-2 recently, which makes the manner of the victory even more impressive.
The win also means Villa have picked up 26 points from 14 games since Emery’s appointment in November.
Report: Aston Villa 3-0 Bournemouth
It was far from a classic but there were moments of beauty and the home side never looked anything over than winners on the day.
It all started with Douglas Luiz who found Ollie Watkins. The in-form striker, who somehow was overlooked for the England squad this week shot from the left of the box but his effort deflected into the path of Leon Bailey who burst to the byline, crossing low for Luiz to tap home to give the home side the lead.
It was hard to see how Bournemouth had picked up a win over Liverpool recently as they struggled in the opening 15 minutes but they could have easily been back in the game when John McGinn nearly gifted Jaiden Anthony a goal but he was inches away from scoring in an empty net.
Villa looked comfortable and looked a threat every time they upped the pace. Emi Buendia, the creator played Watkins through on goal who attempted a lob but keeper Neto stood tall to deny the striker.
The home side could have been awarded a penalty just before the half-time break when Dale Stephens diving in, deflected Jacob Ramsey’s effort wide of the goal with his hand. Despite VAR looking, it was judged to be no penalty.
Emery’s men come out in the second half with the same intent but the visitors could have easily got themselves back in the game when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box. Philip Billing stepped up and struck it well but was denied by a superb save from Emi Martinez.
With 10 minutes remaining, Villa eventually doubled their lead. Watkins was brought down near the halfway by Stephens and from the resulting free-kick nodded the ball into the path of Ramsey. The midfielder who hasn’t scored since November stepped past Stephens before scoring under Neto who never had a chance.
Villa were well on top now as Bournemouth fell apart and they soon made it three. Neto did his best by denying Watkins and Tyrone Mings but had no chance when Mings flicked on a Luiz corner for Buendia to nod home from a yard out.
Analysis
At times yesterday, I felt that Villa struggled with Bournemouth and didn’t push on to pressure them but patience paid off with what proved to be a very comfortable victory.
The team seem to be really buying into Emery’s philosophy and I’m all for this. The only real shame is that there is a break now before we play Chelsea on April 1st.
