Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe hailed the passion shown for their 2-1 win over Aston Villa.

First-half goals from Philip Billing, his first in the Premier League for the club, and Nathan Ake deservedly had the hosts in the ascendancy at the break.

But after Jefferson Lerma had seen red for picking up a harsh second yellow card, the pendulum swung in favour of the visitors, with Ally Samatta's 70th-minute goal setting up a grandstand finish.

However, Howe's team were rewarded for digging deep as victory hoisted them two points clear of the relegation zone.

Asked at his post-match press conference how his pulse was, Howe quipped: “It was off the radar for a spell – it's calmed down now!"

He added: “That's one of the many beauties of football, the emotions attached to a game.

“I thought we had played so well until the sending off. We were really good and that was as good as we had played in a while.

“Then, the game changed and we had to show a different side to our abilities and I thought we just about did.

“I thought the red card changed everything and we felt a little hard done by with the decision.

“I thought Jeff was incredibly unlucky because there were other challenges in the game that didn't get punished with a yellow card which were worse than that.

“We were in a good place at the time and looking to go 3-0 up and, suddenly, the game swung on that moment and I didn't think it was justified.

“With that feeling and how the game had gone and the run of form we had been on, it was hugely important we got over the line and won the game. We don't know whether it will define our season but it feels like a big moment now."