A battle between two Spanish tacticians unfolds at Villa Park this Saturday afternoon as Aston Villa face Bournemouth. Both teams will be looking to maintain their recent run of good form in the Premier League.
Aston Villa arrive at this fixture on the back of a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bologna in the Champions League. Meanwhile, Bournemouth stunned Arsenal 2-0 last weekend, reigniting hopes of a more consistent campaign under Andoni Iraola.
Match Preview
Unai Emery has successfully translated his European expertise from the Europa League to the Champions League, steering Aston Villa to a promising start. After three matches in the competition, Villa sits at the top of their group, having secured wins over Bologna, Bayern Munich, and BSC Young Boys. Their victory over Bologna was highlighted by John McGinn’s clever free-kick goal and a solid finish from Jhon Duran, who stepped up from the starting lineup.
In the Premier League, Villa’s strong performances have propelled them to fourth place. Their latest league encounter ended in a 3-1 triumph over Fulham, marking the third time this season they managed to win after falling behind in a game. Only Manchester City have collected more points from losing positions in the current campaign. Additionally, Villa ended a seven-game streak without a home clean sheet when they shut out Manchester United earlier this month.
Villa’s current form is impressive, remaining unbeaten across all competitions in their last ten matches. Their last defeat came at the hands of Arsenal in August, but since then, Emery’s side has managed to balance their Premier League and European commitments effectively. With players like Ollie Watkins contributing consistently, Villa appear well-placed to maintain their momentum.
Bournemouth, on the other hand, will be riding high after their surprise 2-0 victory over Arsenal. That win gave Iraola his first major statement victory in the Premier League, with Bournemouth capitalizing on an early red card for Arsenal’s William Saliba. Ryan Christie opened the scoring with a well-executed corner routine, and Justin Kluivert secured the win with a penalty.
Bournemouth’s triumph over Arsenal has lifted them to 11th place in the league table, narrowly ahead of Manchester United on goal difference. However, their away form remains a concern, with only three wins from 13 road games in 2024. Furthermore, they are still searching for their first clean sheet in an away Premier League match this season.
Villa have had the upper hand in recent encounters with Bournemouth, winning the last two meetings at Villa Park by an aggregate score of 6-1. Although Bournemouth enjoyed a streak of four wins against Villa between 2016 and 2022, recent clashes have favored the home side, with Villa taking seven points from the last three matches.
Team News
Aston Villa will be without Jaden Philogene for this fixture after the winger was sent off for two yellow cards in their win over Fulham. The 22-year-old will serve a one-match suspension, leaving Emery to consider his options on the wing. Amadou Onana, who was substituted at halftime against Bayern Munich, is expected to be available for selection after his withdrawal was precautionary.
Jhon Duran, who found the net in the midweek Champions League match, may return to the bench in favor of Ollie Watkins. Watkins has been in fine form against Bournemouth, registering one goal and four assists in his last three meetings with the Cherries. Emery will likely stick with the core of his squad, with Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, and Jacob Ramsey controlling the midfield.
Bournemouth received a significant setback with the news that Alex Scott has undergone knee surgery and will miss the game. The injury comes as a blow to Iraola, but the Spaniard has options to reshuffle his midfield. Ryan Christie, who played a key role off the bench against Arsenal, is expected to start, while Tyler Adams has also recovered from a back problem and could feature.
Justin Kluivert, who impressed with a goal and an assist last weekend, is likely to replace Dango Ouattara in the attack. At right-back, Adam Smith may come in for Julian Araujo. Luis Sinisterra will also be absent, though his issues are not expected to sideline him for long.
Predicted Lineups
Aston Villa:
Goalkeeper: Martinez
Defense: Cash, Carlos, Torres, Digne
Midfield: Tielemans, McGinn
Attack: Bailey, Rogers, Ramsey
Striker: Watkins
Bournemouth:
Goalkeeper: Kepa
Defense: Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez
Midfield: Cook, Christie
Attack: Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier
Striker: Evanilson
Tactical Outlook
Villa’s tactical approach under Emery focuses on possession-based football with quick transitions from defense to attack. Their full-backs, Matty Cash and Lucas Digne, are crucial in providing width, allowing wingers like Leon Bailey to cut inside and link up with the forwards. Watkins’ movement and ability to create space for others make him a pivotal part of their attack.
In midfield, McGinn and Tielemans provide both creativity and tenacity, while Ramsey offers driving runs from deep positions. Villa’s resilience has been a key factor this season, with the team demonstrating an ability to recover from setbacks during matches.
Bournemouth, under Iraola, have shown glimpses of adopting a more proactive style. Christie and Kluivert will be vital to their counterattacking strategy, while Tavernier’s direct running poses a threat from the flanks. Bournemouth may look to absorb pressure and strike on the break, especially given Villa’s aggressive style at home.
Set-pieces could play a crucial role for the visitors, as seen in their goal against Arsenal. Cook will anchor the midfield, providing cover for the defense and allowing the attacking players more freedom to roam forward.
Match Prediction
Aston Villa enter this match as clear favorites, given their recent form and home advantage. Emery’s side have been a force at Villa Park this season, and their confidence will be high following their Champions League success.
However, Bournemouth’s victory over Arsenal serves as a reminder that they can compete with the best on their day. If Iraola’s men can stay compact defensively and take their chances on the counterattack, they could make things difficult for Villa.
That said, Villa’s depth and attacking quality should give them the edge. Watkins’ return to the starting lineup will add another dimension to their attack, and their ability to grind out results suggests they are well-equipped to secure another three points.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Bournemouth
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