Aston Villa confirm European football for the third season running
I was approached in pre-season and asked what a good season for Aston Villa looked like. As much as I would love back-to-back Champions League qualification, Newcastle United’s season before highlighted how tough it is for sides without the resources to compete on all fronts. Back to my original point, I replied, If Villa were to secure European Football, get out of the group stage of the Champions League and a good run in a domestic cup, I would see that as a successful season.
Fast forward 9 months and Aston Villa have confirmed European football, of some kind, for a third season in a row following a hard-fought 0-1 victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. And with two games to go, there is a small chance that we could return to Europe’s elite competition next season.
Report: Bournemouth 0-1 Aston Villa
In truth, this game was far from a classic. It was probably as classic a performance as you would expect from a Unai Emery side away from home as they come.
Bournemouth dominated the ball early on, but Villa prevented them from any real attacking threat.
The first chance of real note came through loanee Marco Asensio, who had a snatched shot at goal from the edge of the box, but the woodwork denied it.
Kepa Arrizabalaga was the hero moments later when he denied Boubacar Kamara and Matty Cash in quick succession.
Villa’s pressure eventually paid off when they took the lead just before the break. Morgan Rogers crossed, found Ollie Watkins, who got a slight touch on the ball to take it past Arrizabalaga to make it 0-1 to the visitors.
The home side attempted to change things at the break with the introduction of Justin Kluivert, but it failed to pay off.
Bournemouth failed to have any impact from open play, so they tried via set-pieces, but Villa, the best defensive side from set-pieces in the Premier League, were equal to everything thrown at them.
Jacob Ramsey was shown a second yellow mid-way through the second half, and despite some half chances from the home side, they were unable to break down a solid Aston Villa side.
The victory moved Aston Villa above Nottingham Forest into sixth place in the League.