Aston Villa Vs Bournermouth
Aston Villa Vs Bournemouth livestream
Aston Villa and Bournemouth will square off at Villa Park on Saturday evening, with both the players and manager eager to maintain their winning momentum in the Premier League. The Lions come into this fixture after securing a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bologna in the Champions League midweek, while Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth squad pulled off an impressive 2-0 win over Arsenal last weekend.
For Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, whose tactical acumen was sometimes questioned in the Europa League, the Champions League has been an opportunity to prove his European expertise. Following Tuesday's victory over Bologna, Villa now sit at the top of the 36-team Champions League table, marking a successful campaign thus far. Their win was built on solid performances, including a second-half goal from John McGinn, who scored from a well-placed free kick, and an in-form Jhon Duran, who capitalized on his starting XI opportunity. Villa’s victories over Young Boys and Bayern Munich earlier in the tournament have only bolstered their standing among Europe’s top teams.
With only Liverpool having achieved three consecutive wins in the Champions League last season, Villa’s recent 3-1 Premier League loss to Fulham might have been seen as a setback. But Emery’s squad has displayed resilience, smoothly balancing Champions League and domestic commitments. Since their early-season home defeat by Arsenal, Villa have demonstrated consistency across competitions, with three instances of comeback wins already this season.
Ten Premier League teams have managed to secure points after trailing, and Aston Villa leads in this regard, reflecting their fighting spirit under Emery. After breaking a seven-game drought of clean sheets at home with their 6th October shutout against Manchester United, Villa's defense appears to be regaining its form.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s victory over Arsenal has moved them closer to a top-half Premier League finish, placing them 11th in the standings and narrowly above Manchester United on goal difference. The Cherries’ fans hope this impressive win can kickstart a sustained push up the table. However, Bournemouth’s away record remains a challenge; with only three road wins in 2024, the team needs to overcome inconsistencies when playing away from the Vitality Stadium.
Aston Villa has dominated recent meetings against Bournemouth, having won the last two encounters at Villa Park with a combined score of 6-1. This contrasts with Bournemouth’s four-match winning streak over Villa in the top tier between 2016 and 2022. Yet, history may not be enough for Bournemouth, as Villa’s formidable form this season gives them a strong advantage on home ground.
Villa will be without winger Jaden Philogene, who received two yellow cards in last weekend’s game against Fulham, resulting in a one-match suspension. On the bright side, midfielder Amadou Onana, who was substituted at halftime in the Bayern match for tactical reasons, is expected to be available. Philogene’s absence could be Villa’s sole personnel concern heading into Saturday’s game.
Ollie Watkins, who has scored or assisted five times in his last three matches against Bournemouth, is likely to return to the starting lineup. Although Jhon Duran impressed midweek, Watkins’ proven record against the Cherries makes him the preferred choice up front.
On the Bournemouth side, the week brought unfortunate news as midfielder Alex Scott underwent knee surgery. However, Iraola is expected to lean on Ryan Christie, who was influential off the bench against Arsenal, to step into Scott's role in the midfield. Tyler Adams, who recently recovered from a back injury, could also be in contention for a midfield role, giving Iraola options to address this new challenge.
With both clubs showing flashes of potential, Saturday's game could be pivotal in determining each team’s trajectory for the season.
