The English Premier League season starts this weekend and on the 6th of August we have a meeting between AFC Bournemouth and Aston Villa.
The game will be played at the Vitality Stadium and the hosts have returned from the Championship while the visitors will be hoping to finish in the top half of the table this season.
Finish, Ollie. 👌 pic.twitter.com/TWC57He8kp— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 2, 2022
Finish, Ollie. 👌 pic.twitter.com/TWC57He8kp
AFC Bournemouth last played in the Premier League in 2019/20 but were relegated to the Championship. The Cherries spent two seasons in the Championship and won promotion back to the Premier League last season.
AFC Bournemouth finished second in the Championship, 2 points off winners Fulham and lost only 8 of their 46 matches, which is a tremendous record in a tough division.
AFC Bournemouth will be hoping their recent friendly results do not follow into the Premier League season. They lost each of their last 3 preseason fixtures, going down to Sporting Braga, Bristol City, and Real Sociedad.
AFC Bournemouth enjoyed a good unbeaten run at the end of last season in the Championship. They went 7 games without defeat and lost only 1 of their last 13 Championship matches.
AFC Bournemouth are undefeated in their last 10 home competitive fixtures, all of which were played in the Championship. However, they have won only 1 of their last 6 home Premier League matches and have conceded 2 or more goals in 4 of their last 6 Premier League games on home soil.
Aston Villa make the trip to the Vitality Stadium having enjoyed a good preseason. Steven Gerrard’s team played 5 friendly matches and came away undefeated. There were wins over Walsall, Leeds United, Brisbane Roar, and Rennes plus a 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
Aston Villa will be hoping to improve in the Premier League this season and they failed to win any of their final 4 fixtures in the previous campaign. Three of those 4 matches were played at home and Aston Villa were held by Crystal Palace and Burnley plus lost to Liverpool.
Trends show Aston Villa have managed just 2 wins in their last 11 Premier League games. They have lost 3 of their last 5 on the road and both teams have scored in 4 of those 5 matches. Aston Villa have seen over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of their last 6 away league games.
Team news and Bournemouth will be without the injured duo of Joe Rothwell and Ryan Fredericks. Marcus Tavernier, the only signing to date with a transfer fee could start in midfield.
Aston Villa have no injury concerns ahead of this game. Philippe Coutinho made his loan permanent in the summer and should start along with new singing, Diego Carlos, who will play in central defence.
The atmosphere is sure to be fantastic at the Vitality Stadium and this could be a difficult opening fixture for Aston Villa. Their away record at the end of last season was poor and we could see a shock home victory, with over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring.