Aston Villa delivered a masterclass at Villa Park, dismantling AFC Bournemouth 4-0 in a one-sided Premier League affair on November 9, 2025. Unai Emery’s side, chasing a Champions League spot, dominated from the outset, with Emi Buendia, Amadou Onana, Ross Barkley, and Donyell Malen all on the scoresheet.
Bournemouth, under Andoni Iraola, offered little resistance, extending their winless run to four games and slipping to 12th in the table. This result catapults Villa to 5th with 26 points, just two behind leaders Arsenal, while the Cherries remain mired on 15 points.
The match, broadcast live on Sky Sports and NBC, showcased Villa’s ruthless efficiency, as they racked up 18 shots to Bournemouth’s 5, holding 62% possession. It was Emery’s 100th Premier League win, a milestone celebrated with flair against a side they’ve now beaten in their last three meetings without conceding.
Aston Villa vs Bournemouth Key Moments: Villa’s Clinical Edge
Villa Park erupted early as Buendia curled in a stunning free-kick from 25 yards in the 28th minute, bending it past Mark Travers for 1-0. The Argentine, back from injury, silenced doubters with his set-piece wizardry.
Onana doubled the lead six minutes before halftime, rising highest to head home a pinpoint cross from Leon Bailey. The Belgian midfielder’s aerial prowess—his third goal of the season—highlighted Villa’s set-piece threat, where they’ve scored 12 goals this campaign.
The second half was a procession. Substitutes Barkley and Malen added gloss, with Barkley nodding in his first goal of the season from a Bailey corner in the 77th minute, making it 3-0. Malen sealed the rout in the 83rd, slotting home a low drive after a swift counter involving Ollie Watkins.
Bournemouth’s defense, depleted by injuries to Illia Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez, crumbled under the pressure.
Bournemouth’s best chance came in the 62nd minute when Antoine Semenyo’s effort was tipped over by Emiliano Martinez, but the Cherries rarely threatened thereafter.
Match Stats: Villa’s Dominance in Numbers
| Stat | Aston Villa | Bournemouth |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 62% | 38% |
| Shots (On Target) | 18 (8) | 5 (2) |
| Corners | 7 | 3 |
| Fouls | 9 | 12 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 | 2 |
| xG (Expected Goals) | 2.4 | 0.6 |
Villa’s midfield trio of Youri Tielemans, Onana, and John McGinn controlled the tempo, while Bailey’s two assists underscored his growing influence. For Bournemouth, Justin Kluivert was isolated upfront, managing just 22 touches.
Implications: Villa’s Top-Four Push Strengthens
This emphatic win keeps Villa firmly in the European race, avenging their earlier 1-0 loss to Bournemouth in September. Emery praised his team’s “hunger and quality,” eyeing a potential run at the title challengers. Next up: A trip to Nottingham Forest on November 23.
For Iraola’s men, the defeat exposes defensive frailties—conceding 10 goals in their last three away games. They host West Ham on the same date, desperate for points to climb the mid-table mire.
X erupted post-match, with fans hailing Buendia’s “Pepe Reina special” and Barkley’s header as “header of the season.” What a night at Villa Park!