It wouldn't be an Aston Villa game without controversy, controversy, and high anxiety. Ollie Watkins had provided the lead, and Unai Emery's men were able to hold on for the full complement of points. Entering the fixture, it wouldn't have mattered how Villa won on the day, and that sentiment was severely tested, particularly during the second half against Bournemouth.
On the whole, Villa deserved the win. While the Cherries managed to win more of a share of the possession, until the very end, the hosts didn't truly look threatening. It was AVFC who were unfortunate not to have scored a second goal on the day.
Even so, it was Emiliano Martínez who provided an absolutely critical touch from a final Bournemouth effort that prevented the home side from equalizing. Then the extra bit of effort from Matty Cash was enough to prevent an ensuing tap-in from the foray in front of the Villa goal.
Never should have been a second yellow for Aston Villa
The ability of Bournemouth to make a late-game push came in part due to the controversial sending off of Jacob Ramsey. The sending-off was a harsh one. Had Villa been able to finish with 11 men, however, in such situations, there is usually a boost in the final stages of a match from the trailing side anyway.
That being said, Ramsey should not have received a second yellow. Tyrone Mings was called for a foul earlier for simply shielding the ball. While the ball was well on its way out of play, Ramsey was step-for-step with the Cherries player, who then cut across him and drew a foul.
On replay, there was the ever-slightest of touches on the back heel of the aggrieved party. Calling that from Ramsey a foul is odd in itself, but to then not give a final warning, particularly when the first card didn't come from a tackle or accumulation during the run of play itself, was simply not the correct one.
Regardless, Ramsey needs to know better in that situation because of his being on a card. Yes, the ball was traveling out of bounds anyway. If he had that moment back, he likely wouldn't have given the head official an excuse to even reach for his pocket on something like that.
Either way, Villa survived the stoppage time, and the full-time whistle meant that the mission of qualifying for Champions League remained alive. Or, as Emery would say, "Europe, Europe, Europe."