THE Cherries head to Birmingham to take on Champions League high-flyers Aston Villa in what promises to be a tough test for Bournemouth.
Both sides with be high on confidence after the Cherries’ victory over Arsenal last weekend, and Villa’s recent form in both the league and in Europe.
The second in a tough run of three games for Bournemouth, the Cherries head to Villa Park knowing they’ll have to be on top form to get a result.
The Daily Echo previews Saturday’s clash in the West Midlands.
Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth with be without Alex Scott for the trip to Villa, after the midfielder underwent surgery on Thursday on a tear in his meniscus.
Luis Sinisterra will also not travel for the encounter, with manager Iraola hoping the Colombian will be eligible for selection when Manchester City visits next weekend.
Jaden Philogene is Villa’s only absentee, serving a one-match suspension for his late red card against Fulham last weekend
so will be unavailable.
There was concern around the fitness of Amadou Onana after he was substituted at half time in Villa’s Champions League game against Bologna midweek, but he returned to training on Thursday.
Head-to-Head
In the nine games between the two clubs since 2015, Bournemouth and Villa have won four apiece, with one draw.
That came last season at Dean Court, where the sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw, with Ollie Watkins snatching a 90th-minute equaliser.
Goals from Antoine Semenyo and Dominic Solanke either side of a Leon Bailey strike put the Cherries looked to be on the brink of an impressive victory before Watkins’ last gasp goal.
In the fixture at Villa Park in April, the home side ran out comfortable 3-1 winners, after Solanke’s penalty put the Cherries into the lead.
The season previous saw both sides win at home, as the Cherries triumphed 2-0 at the Vitality Stadium, before Villa won 3-0 at Villa Park.
This Villa win in March 2023 was their first victory over Bournemouth since August 2015, with the Cherries coming out on top in the four games in between.
AFC Bournemouth will be full of confidence after their deserved 2-0 win over Arsenal last weekend, with Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert scoring to give the Cherries the three points over the Gunners.
This followed a disappointing defeat to Leicester at the King Power Stadium before the international break.
Bournemouth are 11th in the Premier League, with 11 points after eight games.
Villa, meanwhile, are unbeaten in six in the league, off the back of a victory over Fulham last weekend at Craven Cottage.
They have lost just once this season, to Arsenal, in August.
The Villans are fourth in the Premier League and sit atop the UEFA Champions League group, too, after three wins from three in Europe.
Most recently, Villa beat Bologna 2-0 at home, after beating Bayern Munich and Young Boys in previous European games.
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth kicks off at 3pm on Saturday, October 26
