Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth: Match preview, team news, predicted line-ups, key players, and match prediction

Having lost only once in their opening twelve games of the season across all competitions, it's fair to say Aston Villa are flying. This weekend they take on Bournemouth at Villa Park in the Premier League knowing a win would likely see them sat in the top three by the end of the weekend. Bournemouth themselves have had a decent start to the season, and won last time out against Arsenal.

Head-to-head record

Aston Villa have played Bournemouth thirteen times, winning six, losing five, and drawing the other two. Prior to Unai Emery's arrival at Villa Park in October 2022, Bournemouth had won four on the bounce against Villa. However, under Emery, Villa have won two and drawn one of the three games they have played against the Cherries.

The last five meetings between the sides are outlined above. Last season saw Villa snatch a 2-2 draw at the Vitality Stadium thanks to a brilliant late header from Ollie Watkins, and a 3-1 win at Villa Park towards the final stages of the season.

Bournemouth's wavering start

After losing Dominic Solanke to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, the concern for Bournemouth was whether they would be able to score enough goals to push on from their 12th place finish in the Premier League last season.

Their results so far this season have been up-and-down like a yo-yo, leaving them sat comfortably in mid-table. The dramatic late comeback to defeat Everton at Goodison Park and the home win over Southampton showed they are too good to be involved in any sort of relegation fight, and their victory over Arsenal last weekend showed that they can compete with those fighting for the title.

With exciting quality in attack through the likes of Antoine Semenyo, Marcus Tavernier and Jusin Kleivert, their work and output in the final third hasn't been a huge issue so far. It is at the other end of the pitch that they have had their biggest problems. The 2-0 win over Arsenal was their first clean sheet of the season and away from home they concede an average of 14.5 shots per game.

Bournemouth fans seem to be content with their teams start to the season and are optimistic about their chances of doing well this year.

"Upper-mid table is where we want to be, around 9th. "

- Daily Bournemouth podcast

The last time Bournemouth finished in the top half of the Premier League was in 2017 under the management of Eddie Howe, so a top-half finish would represent an excellent season for the Cherries.

Team news

Aston Villa

Jaden Philogene is suspended for this weekend's game after being sent off for two yellow card offences against Fulham last Saturday.

Amadou Onana left the field at half-time in midweek with some 'pain' as described by Unai Emery in the post-match interviews. He was quick to produce his winning celebration in front of the Holte End after the full time whistle and it is believed he will be fit to play after being replaced as a precaution by Ross Barkley.

Otherwise, Unai Emery has a fully fit squad to choose from. Boubacar Kamara made his return to action for the club in the final stages of the win over Bologna, after a nine-month absence with an ACL injury. Both he and Tyrone Mings are likely to again be on the substitutes bench.

Bournemouth

Bournemouth manager Adoni Iraola also has a fully fit squad to choose from. He has no injury concerns.

Both Justin Kluivert and Ryan Christie scored off the bench against Arsenal last weekend and will be pushing to start this game. Alex Scott performed well before being replaced against Arsenal and should Christie come into the midfield, Scott would likely be the one to make way.

Key players to watch

Morgan Rogers was voted Player of the Match by Villa supporters against Bologna in midweek, as he continued to impress on the biggest stage. He produced a brilliant assist for Villa's second goal in that victory and was a constant threat with his powerful dribbling ability. He also missed a couple of good chances on the night, and with Unai Emery's help those chances are very likely to turn into goals. Rogers has registered 31 successful dribbles so far this season, more than any other player in the Premier League, and scored in the 3-1 win over this weekend's opponents back in April.

Diego Carlos has responded brilliantly to the criticism that came his way after a poor start to the season. The Brazilian produced dominating defensive performances against Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Bologna in the last few weeks to show the level of quality he possesses. With Bournemouth likely to set up with the intention to attack the Villa goal, Carlos will need to continue his fine run of form to help keep out the Cherries exciting forward line.

Justin Kluivert changed the game for his team against Arsenal last weekend, producing an assist for the opening goal and scoring from the spot himself within fifteen minutes of coming off the bench in the second half. That was his first goal of the season and there are signs that his talent is beginning to shine through after a fairly average start to the campaign. He scored seven goals last season and he will look to reporoduce the quality on show against the Gunners.

Antoine Semenyo is Bournemouth's top goal scorer this season with three to his name and was awarded the club's Player of the Month for September. His skill and trickery in attack will be something Villa have to be wary about. Semenyo scored the opening goal in last season's draw at The Vitality. His power and dribbling ability could cause the likes of Pau Torres some problems, who showed in the opening stages of Villa's game against Fulham that he is vulnerable when an opposing forward applies phyiscal pressure on him.

Predicted line-ups

Aston Villa: Martinez, Digne, Torres, Carlos, Konsa, Onana, Tielemans, McGinn, Ramsey, Rogers, Watkins

Bournemouth: Arrizabalaga, Kerkez, Senesi, Zabaryni, Smith, Cook, Christie. Tavernier, Semenyo, Kluivert, Evanilson

Match prediction

Aston Villa are absolutely flying, and the first half of last season showed that despite having to balance European and dometic commitments, Unai Emery and his team thrived off playing several games in quick succession. Bournemouth will possess their threats, but Villa should have too much for them, particularly now they have a fully fit squad to select from. I expect Villa to win this game with relative ease.

Aston Villa 3-1 Bournemouth (Rogers, Ramsey, Watkins)

UTV