Unai Emery has made Aston Villa a strong candidate for the top four in the English Premier League. The Villans are in 4th with 63 points – three points ahead of their closest rival Tottenham Hotspur. However, Aston Villa will take on AFC Bournemouth today at Villa Park in order to strengthen their position in the top four.
Bournemouth, on the other hand, are winless in their last two games after having won all their previous three league matches. They will be looking to be back on the winning track when they visit Villa Park today.
“Bournemouth are really playing very well, they are very, very competitive. They are demanding a lot from their opponent if we want to beat them,” said Aston Villa manager Unai Emery.
He also added, “I appreciate Bournemouth’s coach, the players, how they are playing – their style and their idea, always they are pushing and pushing and pushing. Matches against them, like we played there, was really difficult. We have to be focused and we have to try to impose our gameplan. But it will be difficult.”
Stats & Facts
- Aston Villa have kept only two clean sheets in their last seven meetings with Bournemouth. Meanwhile, they conceded ten goals in the remaining five matches.
- AFC Bournemouth registered four wins in their previous seven league games against Aston Villa.
- Aston Villa have played 33 games in the league so far. With five games left to play, the Villans have already earned more points than their previous ten campaign in the English Premier League.
- Aston Villa have won 19 league games so far this season. The last time they won 20+ matches in the league was under Graham Taylor in the 1992-1993 season.
Team News
Douglas Luiz is unavailable to play for Aston Villa today due to his suspension. The home team will be without Álex Moreno, Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendía, Jacob Ramsey, and Boubacar Kamara due to their respective injury. Aston Villa do not have fresh injury concerns after their dramatic match against Lille.
As for AFC Bournemouth, Dominic Solanke will lead the frontline. He has already scored 17 goals for Bournemouth and will be the trump card today against Aston Villa.
Luis Sinisterra was taken off during the first half against Manchester United, and he is still uncertain ahead of today’s match. But Antoine Semenyo has recovered from injury and is in contention for the selection. Marcus Tavernier is also close to making his return, but the match against Aston Villa comes too fast for him.
Possible Lineup for Aston Villa:
Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Lenglet, Digne; McGinn, Tielemans; Bailey, Rogers, Diaby; Watkins
Possible Lineup for Bournemouth:
Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kelly; Christie, Cook; Semenyo, Scott, Kluivert; Solanke
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Bournemouth
Both teams have world-class attackers in their squad. Ollie Watkins has netted 19 goals for the Villans, whereas Bournemouth striker Solanke scored 17 goals. But Aston Villa got a massive boost following their win against Lille in the Conference League. Additionally, they will have the home advantage, which makes them the favorite against AFC Bournemouth at Villa Park.
Betfair Odds
Aston Villa: 1.85
Draw: 4.14
Bournemouth: 3.95
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