Credit: Imago and Sky Sports News

Richie Mills

Sat 7 February 2026 18:45, UK

Sky Sports pair Simon Thomas and Michael Dawson ripped into Aston Villa’s defending for Bournemouth’s equaliser.

Villa are Premier League title contenders this season, but their form of late has been troubling, with leaders Arsenal pulling away, and the chasing pack closing in.

In recent weeks, Unai Emery‘s side have picked up a raft of injuries to key personnel, such as Villa captain John McGinn and midfield enforcer Boubacar Kamara, among others.

But for all their injuries, Villa were still able to field an experienced defence of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, and Lucas Digne.

Villa took the lead in the first half through Morgan Rogers but Bournemouth bagged a deserved second-half equaliser through Rayan, and one Villa man did not cover himself in glory.

Lucas Digne ripped apart for Bournemouth’s equaliser

Former Everton man Digne has developed a good reputation for being a solid and experienced left-back at Premier League level.

For the first half, at least, the Frenchman looked competent enough when faced with 19-year-old Bournemouth winger Rayan on Saturday afternoon at Vitality Stadium.

However, Digne was more than found wanting as he allowed the teenager to ghost past him with all the ease in the world as the Cherries made it 1-1.

Dawson added: “It’s terrible defending from Aston Villa and Lucas Digne but take nothing away from Rayan, the young 19-year-old.

“He picks it up, he drives, he gets into the box, I’m thinking, ‘Lucas Digne, show him outside onto your right foot,’ but he lets him come inside, goes past him, right foot, tight angle down into Martinez’s left-hand post. Terrible defending but take nothing away from this young man.“

• Read more: Why Bournemouth fans booed Ollie Watkins throughout Aston Villa draw at the Vitality Stadium

Aston Villa lose ground in Premier League title race

When the final whistle blew, Villa held on for a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth. Emery’s players looked dejected as they ceded ground in the Premier League title race to leaders Arsenal.

The Gunners eased to a 3-0 home win over Sunderland on Saturday, and fourth-placed Manchester United beat Tottenham 2-0 in the day’s lunchtime kick-off.

That meant Michael Carrick’s side closed to within three points of third-placed Villa, while Chelsea’s 3-1 win at lowly Wolves means the Blues are four points back.

Villa have won just two of their last five league games but they do have a kinder run of fixtures coming up in the league in the coming weeks.

Villa are level on points with second-placed Manchester City, who travel to Liverpool on Sunday in a huge clash near the top of the table.

Not all that long ago, Villa were languishing above the relegation zone and now they are in the top three. But if they want to keep pace with the league’s best, and secure Champions League football next season, they need some wins and fast.