Jacob Ramsey awful, Ollie Watkins brilliant – Aston Villa ratings vs Bournemouth
Ollie Watkins’ deft finish gave Aston Villa all three points over Bournemouth but Jacob Ramsey’s red card made it a nervy affair.
Unai Emery’s pre-match interview was an awkward affair, but his sentiments of Champions League football being crucial rang true with Villa’s players.
Bournemouth have European aspirations of their own, making them a dangerous foe, but the Midlands side handled Andoni Iraola’s side professionally, for the most part.
Ollie Watkins became Villa’s all-time leading Premier League goal-scorer, but his record-breaking finish was overshadowed by an unnecessary red card from Jacob Ramsey.
The win puts the Villains level on points with Newcastle and Chelsea as the Midlands side’s late-season surge pushes them closer to Europe’s most prestigious competition.
Aston Villa survive to beat Bournemouth after Jacob Ramsey red
Emi Martinez – 6
Martinez could leave Aston Villa this summer, and received a perplexing yellow card earned for sprinting halfway up the pitch to complain to referee Stuart Attwell. The Argentine shot-stopper was called into action
Matty Cash – 8
Given the tough task of dealing with Antoine Semenyo, but the Poland international dealt with Bournemouth’s star with ease. Made a vital goal-line clearance in the final few seconds.
Ezri Konsa puts in fine performance for Aston Villa
Ezri Konsa – 8
In control. The England international has been Villa’s best defender this season and it was no different against the Cherries.
Tyrone Mings (off for Torres 70′) – 5
Inconsistent. A brilliant defender at the best of times, but utterly perplexing with some of his decisions, very fortunate not to be sent off for an elbow on Alex Scott.
Lucas Digne – 7
Lacks the pace of the modern prototypical fullback, but makes up for it with intelligent positioning and his world-class crossing abilities.
Boubacar Kamara – 4
A really disappointing game for the Frenchman, who looked unsure without Youri Tielemans. Kamara’s passing lacked accuracy and he failed to win any of his midfield battles.
Andre Onana – 8
Without Tielemans Aston Villa seemed to have a real problem in midfield, but Onana stepped up well to fill the void left by the Belgian.
Morgan Rogers assists Ollie Watkins for match-winner
Morgan Rogers (off for Maatsen 88′) – 7
Wonderful delivery. But Rogers’ inability to consistently be involved in the action when used on the right diminishes his potential returns.
Marco Asensio (off for McGinn 70′) – 3
Focus on Rashford. The magic Asensio brought initially seems to have completely gone. The Spaniard is often the first to be substituted, and his existence in this Villa side is hindering Rogers’ development.
Jacob Ramsey – 1
Ramsey sees red. Struggling to have any real impact this season, the England U21 international received two yellows, the second of which was entirely avoidable.
Ollie Watkins – 9 – Player of the Match
Record breaker. Watkins may well leave Aston Villa this summer, but if he does, he will end his spell at Villa Park as the club’s highest goalscorer in the Premier League era, having surpassed Gabby Agbonlahor with his goal against the Cherries.
Substitutes
Pau Torres (on for Mings 70′) – 6
Added some composure to Villa’s backline after Mings struggled to deal with Bournemouth’s attackers.
John McGinn (on for Asensio 70′) – 7
His experience proved to be invaluable after Villa were reduced to ten men.
Ian Maatsen (on for Rogers 88′) – 6
Defended well as the Villains closed out a vital victory.