Bournemouth welcome Aston Villa to the Vitality Stadium on Sunday, where they will look to upset the favourites and continue their run of good form. The Cherries were victorious in this exact fixture last season, winning the tie 2-0, but Villa won the most recent meeting 3-0.
Bournemouth
After a shaky start to the season, Andoni Iraola seems to have finally found the right balance in his team. The Cherries failed to win any of their first nine matches, but they have been victorious in three of their last five. Bournemouth's Achilles heel this season has been in front of goal, scoring just 14 goals in 13 matches. They’ve also shipped 2.15 goals per game on average, the third most in the Premier League. This struggle at both ends of the field has put the Cherries in 16th place.
Last time out, Marcus Tavernier scored a brace to help his side to a 3-1 away victory over Sheffield United. The visitors dominated the tie, registering 23 attempts, 11 on target and 2.86 XG. The result was wrapped up just after the break, but the boss will be frustrated that his side failed to keep a clean sheet, conceding in the 97th minute.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery has crafted a hardworking, technical side that seems to overwhelm opponents. Villa currently sits in fourth place in the Premier League, winning nine of their 13 matches. Their attack has been on fire, scoring 2.38 goals per game on average, the second-best record. Ollie Watkins has been at the forefront of that, achieving 12 goal contributions already. However quite shockingly, Villa have kept just two clean sheets all season.
Emery’s team were victorious in Europe on Thursday, beating Legia 2-1 at home, but their most recent Premier League match was much more impressive. Last weekend, Aston Villa defeated Spurs 2-1 on the road. It was a tie that both teams could have netted four each, but the travelling side were slightly more clinical.
Verdict?
Bournemouth have won their two most recent Premier League home matches, beating Newcastle 2-0 and Burnley 2-1. Villa have won all six of their home matches this season, but on the road, they’ve only won three from seven. Both teams to score seems likely but Villa should have too much quality.
The final prediction is Bournemouth 1-3 Aston Villa.
