Bournemouth
Aston VillaHow did the teams perform?
Bournemouth
Aston Villa
Match Stats
Lineup
Bournemouth
55'
35' Unsportsmanlike conduct
55'
65' Replaced by E. J. Kroupi
86' Replaced by A. Jimenez
87' Replaced by Rayan
90' Replaced by Evanilson
Aston Villa
35' Unsportsmanlike conduct
22'
22'
66' Replaced by E. Buendia
77' Replaced by J. Sancho
77' Replaced by Douglas Luiz
86' Replaced by L. Digne
86' Replaced by O. Watkins
Premier League Standings - Premier League
| Pos | Team | MP | +/- | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Arsenal | 24 | 46-17 | 29 | 53 |
| 2 |  Manchester City | 24 | 49-23 | 26 | 47 |
| 3 | Aston Villa | 24 | 35-26 | 9 | 46 |
| 4 |  Manchester United | 25 | 46-36 | 10 | 44 |
| 5 |  Chelsea | 24 | 42-27 | 15 | 40 |
| 6 |  Liverpool | 24 | 39-33 | 6 | 39 |
| 7 |  Brentford | 24 | 36-32 | 4 | 36 |
| 8 |  Sunderland | 24 | 27-26 | 1 | 36 |
| 9 |  Fulham | 24 | 34-35 | -1 | 34 |
| 10 |  Everton | 24 | 26-27 | -1 | 34 |
| 11 |  Newcastle | 24 | 33-33 | 0 | 33 |
| 12 | Bournemouth | 24 | 40-43 | -3 | 33 |
| 13 |  Brighton | 24 | 34-32 | 2 | 31 |
| 14 |  Tottenham | 25 | 35-35 | 0 | 29 |
| 15 |  Crystal Palace | 24 | 25-29 | -4 | 29 |
| 16 |  Leeds | 25 | 34-43 | -9 | 29 |
| 17 |  Nottingham Forest | 25 | 25-38 | -13 | 26 |
| 18 |  West Ham | 24 | 29-48 | -19 | 20 |
| 19 |  Burnley | 24 | 25-47 | -22 | 15 |
| 20 |  Wolves | 24 | 15-45 | -30 | 8 |
Qualification/Relegation
- Promotion - Champions League (League phase)
- Promotion - Europa League (League phase)
- Relegation - Championship
Rayan’s second-half strike earned Bournemouth a hard-fought 1-1 draw against high-flying Aston Villa at the Vitality Stadium.
A resilient Bournemouth held third-placed Aston Villa to a captivating 1-1 draw on February 7, 2026. Rayan’s crucial equaliser for the Cherries cancelled out Morgan Rogers’ first-half opener for the visitors.
Aston Villa, sitting comfortably in third, arrived aiming to strengthen their Champions League aspirations. Bournemouth, positioned 12th in the Premier League, sought to continue their run of improved performances under Andoni Iraola. The home side hoped to upset the established order.
The match began with a competitive tempo, both teams trading early spells of possession. Villa’s quality soon shone through, creating several promising movements.
Aston Villa drew first blood in the 22nd minute. Jadon Sancho delivered a precise assist, finding Morgan Rogers who expertly drilled the ball past Đorđe Petrović. The goal put Unai Emery’s side ahead.
Bournemouth responded with vigour, pressing for an immediate equaliser. Emiliano Martínez in the Villa goal was tested, making crucial saves to maintain his side’s narrow advantage. His presence was a reassuring sight for the visitors.
A moment of frustration led to two yellow cards in the 35th minute. Aston Villa’s Emi Buendia and Bournemouth’s Álex Jiménez both received cautions for unsportsmanlike conduct. This added a physical edge to the contest.
At the half-time whistle, Aston Villa held their slender 1-0 lead. Bournemouth faced the challenge of increasing their attacking intensity to break down a well-organised Villa defence. The second half promised more drama.
The Cherries emerged from the break with renewed intent, pushing Villa back with their aggressive play. Their increased tempo created gaps in the visitor’s backline. The home crowd sensed a shift in momentum.
Bournemouth’s persistence paid dividends in the 55th minute. James Hill delivered a telling pass, finding Rayan. The forward calmly slotted the ball past Emiliano Martínez, levelling the score at 1-1 and igniting the Vitality Stadium.
Both managers introduced fresh legs as the game wore on. Aston Villa brought on L. Bailey and R. Barkley, while Bournemouth introduced R. Christie and A. Smith. These tactical changes aimed to find a late winner.
Aston Villa pushed hard in the closing stages, creating several nervous moments for the home defence. However, Bournemouth’s backline held firm. Goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović made important saves, ensuring the points were shared.
Statistics underlined Bournemouth’s attacking endeavour, recording 20 total shots to Villa’s 7, and a higher expected goals (xG) of 2.31 compared to Villa’s 0.44. Emiliano Martínez was a standout performer for Villa, making 7 saves, while Bournemouth enjoyed 53% possession. The home side’s offensive numbers showed their intent.
The 1-1 draw sees Aston Villa maintain their strong third-place standing in the Premier League. Bournemouth earned a valuable point, consolidating their mid-table position and showing resilience against a top-tier opponent. This result boosts the Cherries’ confidence.
