Bournemouth secured a vital win in the battle to beat the drop, moving out of the bottom three with a 2-1 win over relegation rivals Aston Villa in a frantic game at the Vitality Stadium.
Nathan Ake doubled Bournemouth's advantage, pouncing to poke home the rebound after Ryan Fraser's effort had been saved by Reina.
RELIEF! #BOUAVL pic.twitter.com/N8lYA6vxUo
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) February 1, 2020
Jefferson Lerma was sent off in the 51st minute - just moments after he had clipped the bar with an effort from range - for a second bookable offence after blocking Jack Grealish.
Villa were left aggrieved when they were not awarded a penalty after Cherries' keeper Adam Ramsdale punched Bjorn Engels when attempting to clear a cross.
Mbwana Samatta pulled one back for the visitors, bravely nodding home Keinan Davis' deflected shot for a goal on his Premier League debut. But it wasn't enough, as the 10 men of Bournemouth hung on.
Bournemouth
Main Talking Point
Bournemouth had been criticised in their last two games for starting slowly, conceding twice in the opening 26 minutes against Arsenal in the FA Cup, having been second best in the first half an hour against Brighton before eventually running out 3-1 winners.
However, the Cherries flew out of the blocks on Saturday, having the better of a hectic opening half an hour.
Eddie Howe's side played with a real intensity, drive and determination. Suggestions that they are perhaps too nice or too soft for a relegation battle were dismissed with this performance. It was a nervy last few 15 minutes for Bournemouth, as they clung on with 10 men.
Player Ratings
Starting XI: Ramsdale (7), Smith (6), Francis (6), Ake (7), Rico (6), Gosling (6), Lerma (5), Billing (7), H Wilson (7), Fraser (8*), C Wilson (6)
STAR MAN: Ryan Fraser
The diminutive winger has struggled to recapture the magnificent form he showed last season, but there were flashes to suggest Fraser was back to his exciting best today.
He wormed past defenders, played intelligent passes and was a general nuisance throughout, playing a pivotal part in Bournemouth's second. No coincidence that when Fraser looked back to his best, so did Bournemouth.
Aston Villa
Main Talking Point
Villa went into the game off the back of a good run of form, having reached the Carabao Cup final and beaten relegation rivals Watford over the course of the past week.
However, they really struggled to get into the game in the opening 30 minutes, as Bournemouth dominated possession while the visitors sat back and soaked up the pressure, Pepe Reina making a couple of smart saves and Dan Gosling wasting a wonderful chance before the hosts eventually took the lead.
Villa had just begun to exert themselves on the game prior to Bournemouth's crucial opening goal. Dean Smith's side really looked up for it in the second half and piled the pressure on 10-man Bournemouth. But too often Villa relied on Grealish for any attacking spark.
Player Ratings
Starting XI: Reina (7), Mings (6), Hause (6), Konsa (5), Guilbert (6), Nakamba (6), Douglas Luiz (6), Targett (6), El Ghazi (5), Samatta (7), Grealish (8*)
Subs: Engles (7), Davis (6), Trezeguet (5)
STAR MAN: Jack Grealish
Brilliant play from Grealish having a go from the edge of the box and nearly scoring. This why he need him at the Euro's in the summer. His ability to create a chance out of nothing is second to none. #AVFC #BOUAVL pic.twitter.com/uzWdM1fIQN
— VillaTilliDie (@VillaTil1Die) February 1, 2020
Jack Grealish was characteristically outstanding. He drove Villa forward with his flair, skill and creativity, and was at the heart of everything good that the visitor's produced.
Grealish's athleticism saw him create a selection of opportunities for himself, cutting inside before flashing a shot just wide in the opening 25 minutes, before forcing Aaron Ramsdale into a terrific save on the stroke of half time as he weaved through challenges and stung the Bournemouth keeper's gloves from a tight angle.
His trickery saw Jefferson Lerma clumsily foul him on two occasions, with the Bournemouth man consequently dismissed.
How is @JackGrealish1 on the losing side right now?? Constant pin point crosses, not to mention covering every blade of grass!!! #BOUvAV Head & shoulders above any other player on that pitch!!! So technically gifted ⚽️
— Allison Jane Smith (@AllisonJaneSmi2) February 1, 2020
Can't stay up running everything threw one player.
— Jase女 (@Jasonmoss1995) February 1, 2020
You have to be good as a team and we're nothing without grealish
Looking Ahead
Bournemouth face a testing trip to Sheffield United next Sunday, with the two sides sharing the spoils the last time they met back in August.
Aston Villa welcome Tottenham to Villa Park in a fortnight, having lost 3-1 to Spurs in the reverse fixture on the opening day of the season.
Source : 90min