Matt Stevenson
First Team
Here is the xG timeline for the Villa game. The opening stages were cagey with the first real chance to Diaby on the 22nd minute (1 in 5) who shot wide. Immediately Bournemouth responded with a chance for Ouattara at the far post (1 in 6). There were no more chances until AFCB took the lead, with Kerkez clearly brought down allowing Solanke to strike it home (almost 4 in 5). We were seeing out the first half relatively comfortable until additional time when Villa broke with speed after Christie was dispossessed at the edge of the Villa box and with Smith caught forward. It was still a very good Villa move and finish from Rogers (1 in 5). At half time the xG was A Villa 0.61, AFCB 1.12. The second half started cautiously, until Villa went 2-1 up, it was another well worked counter attach, leaving Diaby one on one to slot home (3 in 5). There was another period of inactivity with the only notable chance being a Ouattara header saved by Martinez (1 in 10) until Villa went 3-1 up. Watkins broke the offside trap, went round Neto and squared it for Bailey to have a tap in (rated 99%!). After this Villa sat back, with two chances falling to Unal in additional time (one 1 in 4 and 1 in 6). The final xG was A Villa 2.51, AFCB 1.77. Understat had it closer, but also thought A Villa had the higher value (2.63 vs 2.05).