Aston Villa Player Ratings: Two 'Dreadful' 4s But Two Standout 8s in Bournemouth Draw
By Charlie Haffenden, Football Journalist. Published 7th February 2026, 17:55 GMT.
Aston Villa's aspirations for a Champions League spot encountered another obstacle as Unai Emery's team surrendered a valuable lead to settle for a 1-1 draw away at AFC Bournemouth. Morgan Rogers delivered a spectacular goal to put the visitors ahead, but Rayan's equaliser on his home debut for Bournemouth ensured the points were shared in a tightly contested Premier League encounter.
Match Overview and Key Moments
The match saw Villa take the lead midway through the first half when Morgan Rogers unleashed a thunderous strike into the roof of the net, leaving goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic with no chance. Jadon Sancho provided a clever assist, threading a precise through ball to set up the opener. However, Bournemouth responded resiliently, creating numerous opportunities throughout the game.
Emiliano Martinez was called into action multiple times, making seven saves including two crucial double stops, but he was eventually beaten at his near post by Rayan's driven effort. Bournemouth also hit the crossbar earlier in the match, highlighting their persistent threat. With Manchester United and Chelsea securing wins, Villa now face increasing pressure in the race for European qualification, especially if Liverpool triumph over Manchester City in the weekend's late fixture.
Goalkeeper and Defence Ratings
Emiliano Martinez: The Argentine goalkeeper was instrumental in keeping Villa in the contest, making a total of seven important saves. Despite some awkward moments against Kroupi and Scott, Martinez's overall performance was commendable, though he will rue being beaten at his near post for Rayan's goal. Rating: 8
Matty Cash: Experienced a mixed outing against Adli, struggling at times with the Bournemouth winger's strength but redeeming himself with well-timed tackles. He delivered a couple of dangerous low crosses that unfortunately went unconverted. Rating: 6
Ezri Konsa: Made a heroic goalline clearance early on, only for it to be ruled offside, and contributed with key blocks and clearances. However, he was fortunate not to concede a penalty for a trip on Scott. Rating: 7
Tyrone Mings: Utilised his physicality effectively to contain Evanilson but was let down by some inaccurate passing from defence. He could have improved his tracking on rebounds from Martinez's spills. Rating: 6
Lucas Digne (off 86’): Culpable for Bournemouth's equaliser, as he remained static and allowed Rayan to dribble past him effortlessly. With no standout defensive actions to offset this error, his performance was deemed dreadful. Rating: 4
Midfield and Attack Ratings
Amadou Onana: Showed bravery and dominance in aerial duels but was somewhat careless in possession, lacking the precision needed in build-up play. Rating: 6
Douglas Luiz (off 77’): Worked tirelessly to disrupt Bournemouth's rhythm and excelled in transitioning play forward, particularly in the first half with incisive passes into the final third. His influence waned slightly after the break. Rating: 7
Emiliano Buendia (off 68’): Linked up effectively with Rogers and fulfilled his defensive responsibilities by tracking back to support Digne. Rating: 7
Jadon Sancho (off 77’): Delivered a much-improved display on the right flank, providing a brilliant assist for Rogers' goal and creating a chance for Cash. His impact diminished when shifted to the left later in the match. Rating: 7
Morgan Rogers: Scored a stunning goal, his eighth of the season, and was a positive influence throughout, also setting up Watkins for a disallowed effort. A standout performer in Villa's attack. Rating: 8
Ollie Watkins (off 86’): Had a goal ruled out for offside and saw a tame shot saved by Petrovic after a promising run into the box. A decent but unspectacular outing. Rating: 6
Leon Bailey (on 68’): Introduced to make a difference but failed to impose himself, appearing ineffective and lacking confidence on the right flank. A disappointing cameo. Rating: 4
In summary, Aston Villa's draw at Bournemouth highlighted both individual brilliance and areas for concern, with Rogers and Martinez shining while Digne and Bailey struggled, leaving Emery with much to ponder as the Champions League race intensifies.
