Aston Villa have reached the FA Cup fifth round with a 2-1 victory at home to Bournemouth.

Championship contenders Bournemouth did most of the pressing during the early stages, with Shaun MacDonald shooting over the crossbar via a deflection and Harry Arter being denied by Shay Given.

Villa then came within inches of taking the lead on nine minutes, but Andreas Weimann headed the wrong side of the post following a cross from Alan Hutton.

The drama continued midway through what was an action-packed first half as MacDonald rounded Given before seeing his shot cleared off the line by Kieran Richardson.

Bournemouth were soon cranking up the pressure once more, this time with Eunan O'Kane curling over the crossbar after Given was forced to tip Arter's fizzing shot wide.

Despite the away side's dominance in the opening half, it was Villa who made the breakthrough on 51 minutes when new signing Carles Gil worked himself some space to curl the ball into the far corner.

Bournemouth responded well to going behind, but they struggled to create chances in the final third as the Villa defence stood firm.

With the Cherries trying to get themselves back in the game, the hosts doubled their advantage with 20 minutes remaining thanks to Weimann, who tapped home from Hutton's cross.

Bournemouth threatened to reduce the deficit late on through Junior Stanislas and Simon Francis, and they were finally rewarded for their efforts on 90 minutes when Callum Wilson flicked home from close range.

However, Eddie Howe's side were unable to grab an equaliser as Villa held on for the win.