AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Follow all the action from Vitality Stadium
Follow live coverage as AFC Bournemouth face Aston Villa today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
Edging over the line to claim three precious points, 10-man Aston Villa hold on to beat a subdued Bournemouth side 1-0, taking them up to sixth in the Premier League standings. Meanwhile, the Cherries have slipped to 10th as a result of today's games, leaving their European dreams hanging by a thread. It was a history-making Watkins strike that separated the sides, as his first-half goal made him Villa's outright leading Premier League scorer, shortly after Asensio hit the post. Only when Ramsey was sent off for his second bookable offence with nearly 80 minutes on the clock did Bournemouth finally step on the gas, but it was all too late, as Semenyo and Jebbison both spurned opportunites to equalise at the death. Emery's men may have suffered for long spells without the ball, but they finished with an xG of 0.99 to their hosts' 0.78 and can claim to have carved out all the best chances. Next week, they will play Europa League finalists Tottenham on Friday night, while Bournemouth are next in action away to Manchester City. That's all from the Vitality Stadium today, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!
AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
CHANCE! Bournemouth blow a great chance to equalise! First, Semenyo's close-range header is saved sharply by Martinez, before - under pressure from Cash - substitute Jebbison can only steer the rebound over the top from just a couple of yards out! Aston Villa breathe again!
AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
An ironic jeer goes up from the noisy away fans, as Cook clips a pass straight over the right byline. It'll be a Villa goal-kick, and Martinez certainly won't rush to take it.
AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
There will be at least five minutes added at the end of this match, as stoppage-time specialists Bournemouth seek a last-gasp leveller. Can Aston Villa hold on?
AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
The Cherries come close again, as Zabarnyi nods a cross from Kerkez straight at Martinez from around 10 yards out. He should have done better from there.
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