Bournemouth secured a 3‑0 victory over Aston Villa at the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, to claim a place in the Carabao Cup quarter‑finals. The win marked the Cherries’ fifth consecutive triumph across all competitions, extending a run that began with a 3‑0 defeat of Manchester United at Old Trafford the previous week and a 2‑0 win against AC Milan in the Europa League.
The match was a high‑scoring affair, with both teams combining for 36 shots. Bournemouth’s goals came from Amine Adli, Lewis Cook and Alvaro Rodriguez. Adli opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a precise finish from a Julio Soler cross, and the Cherries maintained pressure throughout. Villa’s Leon Goretzka, who had joined the club in the summer, missed a late free‑header in first‑half stoppage time, and the German midfielder was later criticised for his lack of composure after a costly error that allowed Cook to score in the second half. Cook’s goal arrived six minutes into the second half when a mistake by Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot let the Cherries’ delivery slip past the near post. Rodriguez added the third in the 69th minute with a calm low finish, his first goal in English domestic football.
Aston Villa had been in the midst of a remarkable eight‑game unbeaten run, which was halted by Bournemouth’s win. The defeat was described by former Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd as a “terrible showing,” citing the team’s poor defensive display. Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, had made nine changes from the previous Saturday’s 2‑1 victory over Manchester City, a decision that did not seem to pay off against the Cherries.
Under new manager Marco Rose, Bournemouth have shown a consistent level of performance, having already beaten AC Milan and Manchester United in the same week. The Carabao Cup run takes them to the last‑eight for the first time since the 2018/19 season, a milestone that could boost the club’s confidence as they continue to compete on multiple fronts.
With the quarter‑finals approaching, Bournemouth will look to build on this momentum. Their next opponent will be determined in the draw, but the Cherries’ recent form suggests they will enter the next round with a strong belief in their ability to compete against higher‑profile teams.