CHERRIES were denied a spot in the FA Cup fifth round after second-half strikes from Carles Gil and Andreas Weimann earned Aston Villa a 2-1 win at Villa Park.

Following an even first period, a stunning curler from home debutant Gil and a classy finish from Weimann ensured that Callum Wilson’s late goal counted for nothing.

See all the pictures from AFC Bournemouth at Aston Villa in a gallery 

Those efforts meant the seven-time FA Cup winners avoided a fifth cup defeat to lower-league opposition during Paul Lambert’s tenure and sent nearly 6,000 visiting fans home disappointed.

Eddie Howe made no fewer than eight changes to the Cherries side that lost 1-0 at Leeds, with captain Tommy Elphick, Steve Cook and Harry Arter the only survivors.

Among those recalled to the starting XI were keeper Lee Camp and midfielder Shaun MacDonald, while Yann Kermorgant was selected in a lone striker role.

Villa showed six changes from the 2-0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool and Lambert handed a first start to new signing Gil.

Gabriel Agbonlahor and Joe Cole missed out due to hamstring injuries, while England international Fabian Delph was not included.

The visitors were first to threaten when Ryan Fraser dived in off the wing and the ball found its way to MacDonald, whose crisp drive deflected behind.

Fraser was again provider moments later but Arter failed to test Shay Given from range, before Villa fashioned a chance of their own.

Fed by Leandro Bacuna, right-back Alan Hutton delivered an out-swinging cross that was headed a fraction wide by Weimann.

Shaun MacDonald’s 18th-minute effort from a tight angle was blocked on the line by Kieran Richardson after Arter’s outrageous touch had set the Welshman free, before Weimann thundered off-target at the other end.

Matters levelled off until after the half hour mark, when Eunan O’Kane forced Given to palm behind his low drive, and minutes later lifted over from the edge of the box.

Within two minutes of the restart, Christian Benteke’s tenacious run afforded Gil a shot at goal but the Spaniard swiped into the side-netting when well placed.

However, that effort served as a warning for what was to follow in the 51st minute, as Villa finally mustered their first shot on target.

Bacuna found Gil with a square pass and the former Valencia man stepped in off the right wing and unleashed a wonderful, curling strike into the far corner.

The visitors were being forced into desperate defence with increasing regularity and Howe brought on Wilson and Simon Francis on the hour in a bid to turn the tide.

But Villa dealt the killer blow with 19 minutes left when Hutton whipped in a cross and Weimann’s delicate touch sent the ball fizzing past Camp.

Adam Smith did his best to get Cherries back in it but his left-wing cross was a fraction too far ahead of the diving Wilson.

Francis smashed off-target in the closing moments before Wilson turned home Smith’s cross from close range in the second minute of added time.

Ashley Westwood should have made it 3-1 but Camp tipped the substitute's powerful effort behind.

MATCH FACTS

Villa: Given, Hutton, Okore, Clark, Richardson, Bacuna (Grealish, 90), Cleverley, Sanchez, Gil (Westwood, 87), Weimann, Benteke.

Unused subs: Baker, Cissokho, Lowton, Burke, Guzan (g/k).

Booked: Hutton, Okore, Bacuna

Cherries: Camp, Smith, Elphick, Cook, Harte (Francis, 60), Stanislas (Ritchie, 79), Arter, O'Kane, MacDonald, Fraser, Kermorgant (Wilson, 60).

Unused subs: Ward, Surman, Pitman, Boruc (g/k).

Booked: None

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).

Attendance: 27,415