Whatever the Euskara for hoodoo is, Unai Emery still holds it over Andoni Iraola. This one got away from the younger Basque yet to prevail over Emery in eight meetings. With Aston Villa’s hopes of an unlikely Premier League title faded, time to protect a Champions League place. They ought to be grateful for a point on the south coast. Not for the first time, Iraola wondered how his team created so many chances and yet failed to win.
“Before the game maybe you’d take a point,” said Bournemouth’s manager. “After the game I cannot be completely satisfied. We were the better team today.”
“A very good point … we must feel very good,” Emery declared, soon enough repeating previous comments his team should not be considered title contenders, financial constraints nodded towards. “The contender for the title should be Arsenal, [Manchester] City, Chelsea, Newcastle, [Manchester] United.”
After 20 Bournemouth shots against Villa’s seven had rained on Emi Martínez’s goal, the keeper’s shaky handling reflected a difficult afternoon for his team. Villa still took the lead through Morgan Rogers’ brilliantly executed finish. Rayan’s second-half equaliser was no less impressive, a solo goal to further the gathering hype surrounding the young Brazilian, and Bournemouth’s dealmaking prowess.
An eye-catching cameo at Wolves had convinced Iraola’s hand to start Rayan on the right of an attack full of youthful zest. The Vitality Stadium has a teenage hero to make fans forget Antoine Semenyo. “Amazing player,” said his new manager of a young man with considerable physical presence. “We lost one of the most physical players you can get in Antoine, we needed someone strong.”
Within a Bournemouth team Iraola is evolving impressively on the hoof, Alex Scott has become key. The Channel Islander had the first shot in anger of many more to follow, while Junior Kroupi’s shooting soon showed the same venom as when scoring at Wolves.
Villa fans voiced their approval of Douglas Luiz’s return but their team struggled throughout in midfield. Set-piece organisation, too. Specialist coach Austin MacPhee’s instructions from the sidelines fell on deaf ears when a training-ground routine set up a first-half Kroupi missile. Two goalkeepers on the bench with Harvey Elliott unnamed said plenty about the landlocked loanee’s plight, as well as Villa’s injury list.
At such times of incoherence, Villa’s usual answer is Rogers. His goal, after decent work from Jadon Sancho, was decisive in the extreme, crashed in on the angle by one of the Premier League’s very best players. Villa suddenly walked taller, Bournemouth’s previous confidence lessening, the contest more entertaining for that. “He’s doing a fantastic season,” said Emery of his star man. “He was always pushing, helping. Everyone was feeling good playing with him.”
Rayan might not have enjoyed quite the same freedom as at Molineux but one first-half drop of the shoulder beyond Lucas Digne was evidence of his threat, a warning Villa and Digne particularly failed to heed. Rayan glided past a hapless Digne, accelerating into space, and with his right foot skidded his shot beyond Martínez’s reach.
“When there’s space he can go one against one,” said Iraola. “It’s really difficult for the defender. He’s finished it really well. He’s still a young player who needs to improve some things … we also need to learn a lot from him.”
Villa opportunities became yet more occasional, though one Matty Cash special whistled over the bar. Kroupi was replaced by Ryan Christie as Iraola successfully shored up midfield with the Scot’s energy levels.
Emery, for his part, paced anxiously as Bournemouth’s barrage intensified. Martínez was belatedly solid in making a save from Christie’s long-ranger, and from the same player’s close-range volley. “The second half we couldn’t play how they wanted, they pushed us,” said Emery, more than happy to praise his compatriot’s team. “They were in our box more times than we wanted. They are always forward.” Iraola happily returned the compliment: “He’s one of the best managers.”
With Manchester United and Chelsea now looming, Villa found themselves unable to locate any path to victory. Ollie Watkins chased shadows in vain until replaced late on by Tammy Abraham. Moments later, Rayan departed. A home debut to remember if not the result his team deserved.
