ASTON Villa boss Unai Emery admitted Cherries “had some chances”, but insisted his side “deserved to win” the match.

Villa ran out 3-0 victors over Gary O’Neil’s men, Douglas Luiz’s early goal added to late on by efforts from Jacob Ramsey and Emi Buendia.

Speaking after the match, O’Neil felt the scoreline flattered the hosts, insisting it was an “even game”.

Giving his take on the afternoon, Emery told Villa's club media: “We started very well in the first 20, 25 minutes but after our goal, they reacted and started playing, trying to push up and created some chances.

“We have to keep thinking about how we can react during the match. After the first half, in the dressing room, we were speaking about it and in the second half our reaction was very good.

“We started controlling the game again like we did in the beginning. At the end of the match, they had some chances with Solanke because they attacked us with long balls.

“They did it well but they didn’t score. At the end, we deserved to win and to score a second and third goal and to share it with our supporters.”

Villa, who looked in big relegation trouble earlier in the season, are now on the brink of breaking into the top half, 14 points clear of the bottom three.

“First is to get the clean sheet and second is to win through the clean sheet, both are very important,” said Emery.

“Before the match against Crystal Palace, we conceded eight goals in two (home) matches, which was completely upsetting for us.

“We reacted very well. The last two matches, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, we achieved clean sheets and won.

“We played two very good matches and did it in a fantastic way.”

Cherries return to action after the international break, hosting Fulham on Saturday, April 1.