The Vitality Stadium hosts a fascinating encounter this Saturday, February 7, 2026, as a surging Bournemouth side takes on a stumbling but high-flying Aston Villa.
This Matchday 25 clash features two teams on opposite ends of the momentum scale. Bournemouth has become the league's "giant killers" in early 2026, while Unai Emery’s Villa—once breathing down Arsenal's neck for the title—is looking to arrest a sudden slump that has seen them lose two of their last three league outings.
Match Details
Fixture: AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
Competition: Premier League (Matchday 25)
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
Time: 15:00 GMT
Venue: Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Pre-Match Analysis
Bournemouth: The Kroupi Era
Andoni Iraola’s side is currently one of the most in-form teams in the bottom half. The Cherries are unbeaten in their last five league matches, including back-to-back home wins over Liverpool (3-2) and Tottenham (3-2). They arrive fresh from a clinical 2-0 win over Wolves last weekend.
The focal point of this resurgence is 19-year-old French sensation Eli Junior Kroupi. Signed from partner club Lorient, Kroupi has taken the Premier League by storm, netting 8 goals already and displaying a clinical edge that has made him an immediate fan favorite.
Aston Villa: The Injury-Hit Contenders
Unai Emery is facing his toughest test of the season. Despite sitting 3rd in the table, Villa has hit a wall, suffering a shock 1-0 home defeat to 10-man Brentford last Sunday. The grueling schedule of a Europa League campaign—where they recently staged a 3-2 comeback against RB Salzburg—has finally taken its toll on a thin squad.
Villa's midfield has been decimated by injuries to senior leaders, forcing Emery to rely on youth and the creative brilliance of Morgan Rogers. With the gap to leaders Arsenal widening to seven points, the Villans are now looking over their shoulders at Manchester United and Chelsea in the top-four race.
Team News & Injury Reports
Bournemouth Team News
Out: Justin Kluivert (knee), Tyler Adams (hamstring), and winter signing Ben Doak (muscle) are all sidelined.
Doubtful: Marcus Tavernier remains a major doubt with a recurring leg issue.
Returning: David Brooks is back in full training and could feature on the bench.
Player to Watch: Eli Junior Kroupi. His ability to breach a Villa high line will be the deciding factor for the hosts.
Aston Villa Team News
Out: A massive void remains in midfield as John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, and Boubacar Kamara are all unavailable.
Doubtful: Star striker Ollie Watkins is a major doubt; if he fails a late fitness test, Tammy Abraham is expected to start.
Available: Amadou Onana has returned to the squad, providing a much-needed physical presence.
Player to Watch: Morgan Rogers. He has been Villa’s most consistent creative outlet and will be tasked with picking apart Bournemouth’s press.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1):
Petrovic; Smith, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Cook, Scott; Jiménez, Kroupi, Adli; Evanilson.
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1):
Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Maatsen; Douglas Luiz, Onana; Sancho, Rogers, Buendía; Watkins (or Abraham).
Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats
Reverse Fixture: Villa demolished Bournemouth 4-0 in November 2025.
Winless Streak: Bournemouth has failed to win any of their last six league meetings against Aston Villa.
Card Watch: Referee Anthony Taylor takes charge of a fixture that averaged six yellow cards per game last season. Marcos Senesi (7 yellows) is a prime candidate for a booking.
Form Guide: Bournemouth: W-W-D-W-L (Last 5); Villa: L-W-L-D-W (Last 5).
Prediction: Bournemouth 1–1 Aston Villa
Bournemouth is playing with immense confidence at home, but Villa's tactical discipline under Emery usually makes them very difficult to break down on the road. With both sides missing key personnel, expect a cagey affair where the creative sparks of Kroupi and Rogers cancel each other out.
Top Betting Tips:
Anytime Goalscorer: Eli Junior Kroupi. The 19-year-old is in red-hot form and thrives in the open games Bournemouth tends to play.
Total Cards: Over 3.5. Anthony Taylor rarely keeps his cards in his pocket in high-intensity Vitality Stadium matches.
Correct Score: 1-1. Both teams have shown a recent tendency to draw against physical opponents.
