EPL: Aston Villa Secures European Spot with 1-0 Win Over Bournemouth

Aston Villa defeated Bournemouth 1-0, with Ollie Watkins scoring the winner and becoming the club's record Premier League goalscorer. The win guarantees Villa European football next season.

Ollie Watkins made history by becoming Aston Villa's record Premier League goalscorer, scoring the winner against Bournemouth and boosting their Champions League hopes.

The win guarantees Villa European football next season, with a minimum finish of seventh place securing a Uefa Conference League spot. Despite going down to 10 men in the 80th minute, Villa held on for the win. Watkins scored the decisive goal in first-half stoppage time, guiding Morgan Rogers' cross into the net with a precise finish.

The England striker's goal was his 75th league goal for Villa, surpassing Gabby Agbonlahor's record.

Villa had a nervous finish after Ramsey was sent off for two yellow card offenses, but Emiliano Martinez made a crucial fingertip save on Antoine Semenyo's header, and Matty Cash cleared off the line to secure the win.

Aston Villa now sits level on points with Newcastle and Chelsea, who are currently in fourth and fifth place and will face off against each other on Sunday.

When Ollie Watkins tied Gabby Agbonlahor's record in April, he was uncertain about his starting role due to Marcus Rashford's loan. Watkins expressed frustration over limited game time.

With Rashford out for the season, Watkins has regained his main striker role. The 29-year-old is crucial to Villa, with his last four goals all giving Villa 1-0 leads.

Aston Villa's deadlock was broken thanks to quality play after Marco Asensio hit the post and Kepa Arrizabalaga made a double save from Boubacar Kamara and Matty Cash's headers.

After halftime, Villa maintained pressure, with Kamara shooting wide from distance.

Villa's win was complicated by Jacob Ramsey's needless red card for cynically fouling David Brooks to stop a counter-attack.

Ramsey will miss Villa's next match against Tottenham and could potentially return for the final game of the season against Manchester United.

Bournemouth's five-game unbeaten run ended with defeat, halting their table rise.

The hosts created several late chances but couldn't capitalize, with Antoine Semenyo shooting wide, Evanilson's header being tipped over, and Illia Zabarnyi and Marcos Senesi heading over in the closing stages.

Ollie Watkins' record-breaking strike steers Aston Villa to victory on the south coast 🦁#BOUAVL pic.twitter.com/MoI9YE3BdC

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 10, 2025

Bournemouth will particularly regret not converting a late chance when Emiliano Martinez made a crucial save on Antoine Semenyo's header, and Matty Cash cleared off the line.

The loss kept Bournemouth 10th, two points behind Brentford in eighth. Depending on the FA Cup final result, eighth place might secure a European spot for the Cherries.

Bournemouth's upcoming fixtures include a match against Manchester City on May 20, followed by a home game against already-relegated Leicester City on the final day of the season.

The club confirmed that midfielder Alex Scott suffered a fractured jaw during the game, requiring lengthy treatment after incidents involving Tyrone Mings and Amadou Onana. Scott was substituted at halftime.