Bournemouth 2 Aston Villa 2
It was a battle of the Basque country at the Vitality Stadium. Andoni Iraola versus Unai Emery. Bournemouth had found some form of late while Aston Villa had got themselves up into the top four to surprise many.
The visitors struggled to get into this game and as Diego Carlos gave away possession, Christie fed it to Semenyo and he neatly tucked it past Martinez in the Villa goal. It is amazing what a couple of wins can do, as The Cherries look a completely different side.
Defensively, they are still showing a lot of the same traits and it did not take long before Emery’s side found themselves a way back into the game. The ball was played to Bailey on the right and he cut inside onto his left foot and struck it past the Bournemouth keeper into the far corner.
Things went from bad to worse for The Cherries as Diego Carlos popped up on the edge of the six yard box to slot the ball past Neto in the host’s goal. However, after a VAR review it was adjudged that the Villa defender was in an offside position when the ball was flicked on.
Credit: @afcbournemouth
It took well over three minutes for VAR to get to that decision, which considering the technology at their disposal is just not acceptable. It almost seems that problem is the incompetent officials who created a need for the technology to be implemented are the ones now running it.
Bournemouth came forward looking to change the game and pen the visitors back into their own box. Semenyo picked the ball up wide in the penalty area and struck a left-footed shot at goal which Martinez did well to tip over the crossbar.
Christie then did well beating his man on the right before passing the ball to Solanke just yards out. He tried to slot it past Martinez but the Argentine keeper made a good save to deny him. Villa struggled to clear and Semenyo drilled a ball across the box but the sliding Solanke could not turn it in.
In added time at the end of the first half Aston Villa nearly took the lead as Douglas Luiz ran onto a cross to strike the ball but Neto was equal to it. The Brazilian should have done a lot better as the goal was at his mercy.
The visitors were to pay the ultimate price as Bournemouth added a second when Solanke found the back of the net after Villa failed to clear the ball. The Cherries striker was causing Unai Emery’s side all sort of problems.
Tavernier then sprinted down the right wing and played the perfect cross into the path of Solanke who looked set to make it three-one but Martinez saved once again, this time with his legs. Neither striker nor keeper could believe it was not a goal.
Credit: @AVFCOfficial
Iraola’s side should have been out of sight by now but just could not find that killer instinct in front of goal at the Vitality Stadium. You always know in these situations that football has a knack of coming back to haunt you.
Watkins and Duran linked up well and the young striker’s shot took a slight deflection and came back off the woodwork. Emery was left on the touchline scratching his head wondering how his side were not level in this game.
Diaby then swung a cross in from the right wing which Watkins flicked on, to see the ball nestling in the back of the net in the 90th minute of the game. It was a cruel blow for Bournemouth but something Aston Villa will feel they fully deserved.
An entertaining game ended with the spoils shared, The Cherries extending their good run of form while Aston Villa avoided a fourth defeat of the season. In the clash of the Spanish managers there was very little between them, either side will feel they could have won this game.
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