The England forward scored the only goal of the game at Vitality Stadium, as Unai Emery's side guaranteed European football next season, while boosting its UEFA Champions League qualification hopes by climbing to sixth place.

It was Watkins's 75th goal in the Premier League for Villa, moving him clear of Gabriel Agbonlahor on the club's all-time list.

The 29-year-old was delighted to achieve a feat he had his eye on since arriving from Brentford in 2020.

"I said from the start when I joined the club that that's what I had my eyes on," he said. "It's taken a while to do it, but now I'll celebrate with my family.

"It's a big achievement. Some unbelievable players have played for this club, so to be on the top of that, I'm really proud. It's a great achievement.

"I think [this result] is massive for us. There are a lot of teams that are pushing for Champions League spots, and it is going down to the wire.

"We need to make sure we win the last two games, and it is in our hands to do that."

The visitors had to play the final 10 minutes with 10 men after Jacob Ramsey's red card, but held out for their seventh win in eight league games.

The Villans have earned more points since the start of March than any other side (21), and Emery praised his players for their ability to produce the goods as the pressure intensifies.

"We were very demanding of how we needed to press [Bournemouth] and threaten them," he said. 

"We did it collectively over 90 minutes with very good work. We did not concede a lot of chances. But how we compete and defend, I am so proud of [the players]."

On the battle to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, he added: "It is the best competition in the world, and we are winning matches, and we can be a good contender.

"The first objective is to try and play in Europe again, and we feel comfortable with the pressure we are setting ourselves. We are in the run for it, and we are competing today with the demands we are increasing in the dressing room."