Analysis: Aston Villa's men for the big moment combine again to deliver another vital win

It’s a combination which for the past five years has helped Villa win too many matches and points to remember.

Their latest double act was delivered at Bournemouth on Saturday in a 1-0 victory which secured European football for a third season running for Unai Emery’s men, while also keeping hopes of a return to the Champions League very much alive.

It also perhaps served a timely reminder of the supreme talent of two players who remain integral components of this Villa team and who have long been destined to be remembered among the finest of their era.

Neither Watkins or Martinez can claim to have enjoyed their best seasons in a Villa shirt. Watkins once more on Saturday evening hinted at the difficulties he has experienced kicking on from his superb 2023-24 campaign, which ended with him playing England in the European Championship final. 

Martinez, meanwhile, has come under scrutiny during the past month for what have been several, at least by his standards, soft goals conceded. It has contributed to speculation about his future. Watkins, of course, was subject to a failed approach from Arsenal in January and while senior figures at Villa have made clear it is far too early to say what might happen with any player at the club this summer, there is likely to be noise around both when the transfer window opens next month.