Rayan’s Debut Goal Earns Bournemouth a Point Against Villa
Bournemouth and Aston Villa played to a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, February 7, 2026, with Brazilian teenager Rayan scoring his first goal in English football. The result leaves Aston Villa nine points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Rogers Breaks the Deadlock for Aston Villa
Morgan Rogers put Aston Villa ahead in the 22nd minute, finishing a move started by Jadon Sancho. Villa’s goal came against the run of play, as Bournemouth had already registered six shots before Rogers’ opener.
Rayan Shines on First Start
Rayan, who had recently joined Bournemouth from Vasco da Gama, made a significant impact on his first Premier League start. He came close to scoring in the first half, hitting the crossbar, before finding the net in the 55th minute with a solo effort. He received a pass near the right touchline, skillfully navigated past defenders and beat Emiliano Martinez at his near post.
Martinez Keeps Villa in the Game
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was crucial in securing a point for his team. He made a total of seven saves throughout the match, including a double save to deny Eli Junior Kroupi and Evanilson in the first half. Martinez also made several key saves in the second half, including one to deny Ryan Christie late in the game.
Bournemouth Dominates Possession, But Struggles to Convert
Bournemouth dominated possession and created numerous chances, finishing the match with 20 shots to Villa’s seven. Despite this, they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities, with Martinez proving difficult to beat. A goal from Junior Kroupi was ruled offside by VAR.
Emery Downplays Title Hopes
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reiterated that his team should not be considered title contenders, citing financial constraints. He acknowledged a great point earned on the road, but pointed to Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Manchester United as the primary contenders for the Premier League title.
Iraola Pleased with Performance, Despite Draw
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, stating they were the better team on the day. However, he admitted to being frustrated that they couldn’t secure a win despite creating so many chances.
FAQ
- Who scored the goals in the Bournemouth vs. Aston Villa match? Morgan Rogers scored for Aston Villa, and Rayan scored for Bournemouth.
- How many shots did Bournemouth have in the match? Bournemouth had 20 shots.
- How many saves did Emiliano Martinez make? Emiliano Martinez made seven saves.
- Where did Rayan previously play? Rayan previously played for Vasco da Gama.
Pro Tip: Young players like Rayan can significantly impact a team’s performance. Maintain an eye on emerging talents for potential future stars.
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