Despite having tired legs from their Europa Conference League win on Thursday night, Aston Villa came from behind to beat Bournemouth by three goals to one.
The Cherries only goal of the game came from the penalty spot when Matty Cash clipped Milos Kerkez before the prolific Dominic Solanke dispatched to record his 18th league goal of the campaign.
The English striker had a chance to double his and Bournemouth’s tally before his fellow countryman Ezri Konsa made a goal-saving tackle to deny the away side.
Moments before halftime, Villa youngster Morgan Rodgers calmly finished off a deadly counterattack to give Unai Emery’s men a deserved draw at the break.
The second half saw more control by the Villians as they took the lead when Ollie Watkins set up Moussa Diaby to fire past Neto in the Bournemouth goal.
Four minutes later World Cup winner Emi Martinez made a good save to keep out Dango Ouattara and hold on to Villa’s lead.
The home side grabbed the all-important third goal on 78 minutes when another superb run from Watkins set up Leon Bailey to slot the ball into an open net.
The deserved Aston Villa win strengthens their grip on their Champions League spot while Bournemouth hunt for a top-10 finish will not be helped by the away loss.
