Aston Villa vs Bournemouth Preview
- Villa to win
- Watkins to score or assist
Aston Villa’s remarkable start to the 2024/25 season continued in impressive fashion, with a 2-0 victory over Bologna in the UEFA Champions League and a 3-1 win against Fulham in their last Premier League outing.
These results extended Villa’s unbeaten run to six league games (W4, D2), helping them accumulate 17 points after eight games – a feat they have only achieved twice before in Premier League history.
Villa’s recent defensive solidity has been key to their success, with three consecutive clean sheets at home (W2, D1), a level of consistency they last achieved in 2023.
Their recent form at Villa Park has been strong, including a commanding 3-0 win over Bournemouth in the previous season, but it’s worth noting that the Cherries have traditionally posed a challenge here, boasting a better-than-expected record at Villa Park (W2, D1, L4).
Bournemouth’s Resurgence
Bournemouth enter this match brimming with confidence after a stunning 2-0 win over Arsenal last weekend. Ryan Christie’s perfectly executed set-piece goal highlighted a fantastic team performance, marking the Cherries as a dangerous side this season.
With eight points more than they had at this stage last term, Andoni Iraola’s side are making noticeable progress and have climbed just below the top half of the table.
However, Bournemouth’s away form remains an area for improvement. They have only collected four points on the road this season (W1, D1, L2), winning just one of their last six away league games (D1, L4).
Villa Park has not been a happy hunting ground for the Cherries in recent times, as they’ve lost their last two visits, conceding three goals in each defeat.
Key Battle: Emiliano Martínez vs Ryan Christie
Aston Villa’s defence, anchored by goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, has been formidable. Martínez’s heroics include a penalty save against Fulham, and he has kept three clean sheets in his last four appearances.
The Argentine will need to be on top form again to stop Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie, who has scored twice in his last three games for club and country, both of which were opening goals. Christie’s recent confidence and ability to strike early could pose a threat to Villa’s defence.
Players to Watch
Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins continues to be a key figure for Villa, driving the team’s success with his work rate and scoring ability. With Villa unbeaten in six league games, Watkins will look to build on this form and spearhead Villa’s attack once again.
Bournemouth: Ryan Christie is a crucial player for Bournemouth, especially after his standout goal against Arsenal. His ability to score in big moments will be critical if the Cherries hope to break Villa’s defence and get a positive result on the road.
Prediction
Aston Villa are in scintillating form and playing at home, where they’ve built up a fortress-like defence.
Bournemouth will be buoyed by their win over Arsenal, but their away struggles may prove too much to overcome against a high-flying Villa side. Expect a closely fought contest, but Villa’s current form and home advantage could see them take all three points.
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