Bournemouth are coming off a shock 1-0 win over Liverpool at Dean Court. The Cherries played Liverpool off the park for large chunks of the game and even saw a Mohamed Salah penalty go wide.
The win over Liverpool came on the heels of a strong performance at the Emirates against Arsenal the week before. Bournemouth were not able to hold onto a 2-0 lead at Arsenal. However, the Cherries are showing signs of getting out of the relegation mess.
Next up: Back at Villa Park! 💜@AlexMoreno // #AVLBOU pic.twitter.com/P3xNYtvRa7— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 15, 2023
Next up: Back at Villa Park! 💜@AlexMoreno // #AVLBOU pic.twitter.com/P3xNYtvRa7
Bournemouth will begin matchday 26 in 18th place. They are in the relegation zone thanks to goal difference. A win or draw against Aston Villa on Saturday could send Bournemouth out of the bottom three.
Aston Villa are 11th in the standings and on a three-match unbeaten run in the league. Eleven points separate Aston Villa from the bottom three. The Villains should finish comfortably in midtable, but they need to continue picking up points to ensure it occurs.
Bournemouth defeated Aston Villa 2-0 earlier this season at Dean Court. Jefferson Lerma and Kieffer Moore scored on either side of halftime for Bournemouth. Aston Villa were managed by Steven Gerrard at the time.
Villa picked up seven points from their last 18 points on offer in the league. They were outscored 12-9 during the six-match span. Aston Villa are hot and cold at home with a record of 6W-2D-5L.
Bournemouth took seven points from the last 18 points available as well. They were outscored 9-6 during that time. Bournemouth have a record of 2W-2D-9L on the road. No team has conceded more goals away from home than Bournemouth (35).
Unai Emery will be without attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho due to a thigh injury. Midfielders Leander Dendoncker and Boubacar Kamara could both return to the side following injuries. Back-up goalkeeper Jed Steer is ruled out with a calf problem.
Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil will be without forward Junior Stanislas. He is unlikely to have the foursome of Illia Zabarnyi, Marcus Tavernier, Hamed Traore, and Adam Smith. All four are dealing with various injuries.
The Cherries may have defeated Aston Villa earlier this season, but they do not travel well. Just two wins from 13 matches have occurred this season.
Aston Villa should post a win by a 2-1 score at the end of full-time. Bournemouth should put in another strong performance this weekend. However, the Cherries should come up just short of getting a result on the road.