Aston Villa is gearing up for a crucial Premier League match against Bournemouth at Villa Park this Sunday. The team aims to secure back-to-back wins after recently overcoming a shaky start to the season. Under the guidance of Unai Emery, Villa has recorded seven victories in their last nine matches across all competitions, although they faced two defeats during that period.
Their last league outing ended in a disappointing 2-0 loss to Liverpool, marking their third defeat of the season. Villa struggled defensively, with goals from Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch sealing the outcome for Liverpool. However, the upcoming clash with Bournemouth offers a promising opportunity for Villa to bounce back and return to winning form.
Aston Villa vs. Bournemouth: Historical Context
Historically, Aston Villa has had the upper hand in recent encounters with Bournemouth. They are unbeaten in their last five league meetings, securing three wins and two draws. Most recently, Villa achieved a victory at Vitality Stadium last season. Additionally, Villa has remained strong in their home matches against Bournemouth, having won two and drawn one of their last three home games against the Cherries.
Projected Lineup for the Match
Manager Unai Emery is expected to make several changes to the lineup following their midweek Champions League success. Five alterations are anticipated, particularly concerning midfielder Youri Tielemans, who could play a pivotal role.
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Emiliano Martinez |
| Right Back | Matty Cash |
| Left Back | Lucas Digne |
| Center Back | Pau Torres |
| Center Back | Ezri Konsa |
| Midfield | Boubacar Kamara |
| Midfield | Amadou Onana |
| Forward | Donyel Malen |
| Forward | John McGinn |
| Forward | Morgan Rogers |
| Forward | Ollie Watkins |
Emiliano Martinez is expected to retain his spot in goal, following a commendable midweek performance despite some earlier errors. Lucas Digne and Matty Cash are likely to return to the starting lineup, replacing Ian Maatsen and Victor Lindelof. Meanwhile, Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa will continue their central defensive partnership.
Although Tielemans showed promise during his brief appearance against Maccabi Tel Aviv, he might start on the bench. Instead, Kamara and Onana are expected to anchor the midfield. Wingers John McGinn and Donyel Malen will support Morgan Rogers, who recently extended his contract with the club. Ollie Watkins will look to lead the attacking front as Aston Villa aims for a critical victory against Bournemouth.
