Ollie Watkins remained silent until he scored late in the game. Photo: PA/Stephen Paston
“Such players only need 20 centimeters,” sighed Andoni Iraola. The player he was referring to was, of course, Ollie Watkins.
With one run and a header in the final seconds of the 90th minute, the Aston Villa striker demonstrated that, among his many other qualities, he has that elusive ability to make a vital contribution to a game that has largely passed him by.< /p>
After being declared fit to play at Bournemouth, Watkins made very little of the impact in the game that the home side deserved. to win.
But a quick shuffle saw him lose his marker and head Moussa Diaby's cross into the far corner to keep Unai Emery's extraordinary momentum alive at Villa.
“He was going towards his goal, and sometimes you just have to accept that that’s the way it is. It was a very good goal,” said Iraola, who praised his team’s performance.
Unai Emery and his opposite number Andoni Iraola, conversation before the match. Photo: Getty Images/Warren Little
If he can make even a fraction of the impact that Emery has, Bournemouth may themselves be on the cusp of an exciting new era.
“Before the game you probably think it's a very good moment against Villa, but after the way the game went I don't think it was good enough for us,” he said.
“We're very happy with the game. I think we really deserved three points today. We had the clearest chances, their goalkeeper was very, very good, he made the difference today.”
After initially struggling to adapt to the former Rayo Vallecano coach's approach, the Cherries look a transformed side, having now won three and drawn one of their last five Premier League games, putting them out of danger.
Progress Villa during Emery's 13-month reign was simply outstanding. In 2023, only Manchester City have won more than 22 Premier League games, and that form has pushed the Birmingham club right into the midst of discussions about Champions League qualification.
“I think this is a very good moment for us, and we have to accept it,” Emery said. “Resilience was on the field and in our thoughts. [Emiliano] Martinez was fantastic.”
There were no clear-cut opportunities before Bournemouth capitalized on an error to take the lead in the 10th minute. It was made by Diego Carlos, who carelessly passed the ball to Ryan Christie on the edge of the penalty area, who in turn sent the ball to Antoine Semeño to shoot past Martinez.
Antoine Semenyo wins Bournemouth's first match. Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images
Emery manically stalked the touchline, asking for more of the players from whom he expected so much. He achieved this a few minutes later when Leon Bailey entered the flank of Milos Kerkez and Lewis Cook and fired an unstoppable low shot into the far corner.
Shortly after, Emery was pumping his fists again to celebrate, but Ware's long check , who was roundly derided by both sets of fans, eventually ruled out Diego Carlos' goal after Lucas Digne was ruled offside in the build-up to the attack.
The enthralling half remained enthralling until the end of eight minutes of stoppage time. Martinez celebrated as if he had won the World Cup again after making a marvelous save to deny Dominic Solanka's shot from point-blank range.
As in the first half, Bournemouth regained the lead early in the second half. This time Solanke scored his seventh goal of the season, turning sharply in the penalty area and converting the ball into the bottom corner after a devastating shot from left-back Kerkez.
The hosts had several chances to increase their lead. but survived a scare when John Duran's shot deflected off Marcos Senesi and hit the post.
But in the final minutes of normal time, Diaby spotted Watkins' movement and fired a perfect cross for Watkins to score his ninth goal. season.
“It was a good header,” he said. “One of the best results I've ever gotten.”
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