Follow live coverage as Aston Villa face AFC Bournemouth today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola’s side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United’s latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year – yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it’s Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
Curiously, Aston Villa have kept only one clean sheet in the Premier League this season, but they’ve managed three straight shut-outs in Europe following their midweek win over Bologna. Will Bournemouth breach their back line today?
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
The players are out on the pitch at Villa Park, and kick-off in this Premier League contest is now just moments away!
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott underwent surgery on a knee injury this week, so he is one of four men missing from the XI that started against Arsenal. Most notably, Kepa Arizabalaga drops out of the squad entirely, with Republic of Ireland international Travers stepping in between the posts; Unal and Kluivert join forces up front.
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
Despite scoring on a rare start in midweek, Aston Villa super-sub Duran returns to his regular role on the bench; Watkins – who has played a part in five goals in his last three games against Bournemouth – is back in the first XI. Jaden Philogene serves a one-match ban for his late red card at Fulham, but Villa’s long injury list has recently cleared and he is the hosts’ sole absentee.
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
SUBS: Will Dennis, Dean Huijsen, David Brooks, Evanilson, Tyler Adams, Adam Smith, Marcus Tavernier, James Hill, Max Aarons.
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
BOURNEMOUTH (4-2-3-1): Mark Travers; Julian Araujo, Illia Zabarnyi, Marcos Senesi, Milos Kerkez; Lewis Cook, Ryan Christie; Dango Ouattara, Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo, Enes Unal.
