Ollie Watkins keeps Aston Villa’s Champions League hopes alive with record goal

Ollie Watkins became Aston Villa’s outright record Premier League goalscorer as his side boosted their hopes of Champions League qualification by denting Bournemouth’s European push with a 1-0 win.

The England forward touched home Morgan Rogers’ cross deep into first-half added time to move on to 75 top-flight strikes for Villa – one more than Gabriel Agbonlahor.

The visitors survived playing a man down for the final 10 minutes at the Vitality Stadium after Jacob Ramsey was sent off for a second bookable offence.

A seventh victory in eight league games moved Unai Emery’s men above Nottingham Forest into sixth spot – level on 63 points with fourth-placed Newcastle and Chelsea in fifth.

As their quest for a top-five finish reaches a climax, Villa, who reached the Champions League quarter-finals this term, face Europa League finalists Tottenham and Manchester United in the final two weeks of the season.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth go into their final two fixtures in 10th position, having dropped two points below both Brentford and Brighton following their respective wins earlier on Saturday.

Tyrone Mings returned to face his former club as part of four Villa changes, while Adam Smith – making his 400th Bournemouth appearance – was recalled alongside Alex Scott and Antoine Semenyo for the hosts.

Cherries midfielder Scott required lengthy treatment after being caught by Mings’ right elbow in the early stages before again going to ground holding his face following an incident involving Amadou Onana.

Following a largely forgettable first half of few opportunities, the contest burst into life just before the break.

Villa midfielder Marco Asensio struck the base of the right post in the 43rd minute with a low shot from the edge of the