Aston Villa 3-1 Bournemouth: Unai Emery’s side mount impressive comeback as goals from Morgan Rogers, Moussa Diaby and Leon Bailey cancel out Dominic Solanke’s opener

 Ollie Watkins became the Premier League’s leading assist-maker of the season by creating two goals as Aston Villa came from behind to boost their top-four ambitions.

After Dominic Solanke had put Bournemouth ahead from the penalty spot, Villa levelled on the stroke of half-time through Morgan Rogers.

Watkins then fed Moussa Diaby shortly before the hour mark for his 11th league assist of the campaign in addition to the 19 he has scored – which is one behind joint-Golden Boot leaders Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer.

He then teed up Leon Bailey to seal a victory that meant Unai Emery’s side have stretched their advantage over fifth-place Spurs to six points, though they have played a couple of games more.

Villa Park was buzzing before kick off as they greeted the only English club left in European competition.

Aston Villa completed a crucial comeback at home to in-form Bournemouth

Dominic Solanke opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half

Moussa Diaby scored the goal to put Aston Villa ahead in the second period

Chants of “Emi Martinez..you’re world number one” echoed around the stadium following his penalty shoot-out heroics against Lille on Thursday.

Ollie Watkins curled an early sighter over and Pau Torres narrowly failed to get a touch to Diaby’s tantalising cross.

Bournemouth have also had a successful season under their Spanish manager, Andoni Iraola, and they showed their quality after 16 minutes.

A terrific crossfield pass by Ryan Christie allowed Justin Kluivert to cut inside and hit a rasping shot that forced Martinez to be at his most acrobatic to keep out.

At the other end, Diaby fluffed his lines by sidefooting wide after being set up on a plate by Leon Bailey.

Bournemouth appeals for handball against Lucas Digne were waved away but they did take the lead from a penalty after 31 minutes.

Matty Cash cleaned out Milos Kerkez and once it had been decided there had been no foul against Diaby earlier in the move, Solanke stepped forward and ignored Martinez rousing the crowd to fire home to the ‘keeper’s right.

It was Solanke’s 20th goal of the season and he must be cursing Watkins’ own impressive form in their duel to make the England squad this summer.

Villa levelled as five minutes added time were flashed up before half-time.

Bailey drove forward from midfield and released Rogers down the left with the outside of his boot.

From there, the 21-year-old winger showed great composure. He accelerated into the box and when Adam Smith approached, he cut inside the defender and thumped a finish past Neto.

It was a fascinating tactical battle between two of the best Spanish managers

The win puts Aston Villa in the driving seat for Europe, although Spurs have two games in hand

It was the home side’s shot on target of the first half but enough to take them into the interval level.

Smith was hooked at half-time but replacement Max Aarons didn’t find Watkins any easier to handle.

The striker had two shots saved by Neto but his key contribution arrived after 57 minutes as a creator.

His pace saw him reach Bailey’s pass before Ilia Zarbanyi. He then cut inside his marker and picked out Diaby’s run into the six-yard box.

The timing of the pass was perfect and Diaby had little trouble in converting from close range. The goal was greeted by Villa fans singing Watkins’ name rather than the scorer.

Martinez underlined his value again with a marvellous reflex stop to deny Dango Ouattara burying a close-range header for Bournemouth to equalise.

The visitors pushed forward late but that left gaps for Villa to exploit. Watkins latched onto Diaby’s pass and rounded Neto. Realising the angle was too tight to score, he rolled the ball across for Bailey to tap in. His 31st goal contribution of a remarkable league campaign.