Aston Villa’s matchup with Bournemouth presents a significant test for Unai Emery, who will want his team to maintain its current winning ways.
The inclusion of Andoni Iraola in the Premier League Manager of the Month list demonstrates the remarkable strides Bournemouth made in November, getting ready for a challenging start to December against Aston Villa. There have only been three wins for the Cherries, and they were all achieved at the end of October and last weekend.
The Cherries’ victories over Sheffield United and Newcastle United have lifted them out of the relegation zone and into a healthier position. Iraola will be looking to maintain the momentum and hopes for another strong performance from his guys.
At the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth has won their past two Premier League games, putting them in a bit of a purple patch at home. It goes without saying that Iraola would like to win three straight and put some distance between them and the struggling teams in the bottom three, which would also relieve some of the manager’s strain.
The Cherries’ biggest task will be to stop a high-flying Aston Villa team that has reached unprecedented heights under Unai Emery. In order to further fuel their hopes, the Spaniard will want his team to continue their recent winning streak and secure a statement victory.
Thanks to an Ollie Watkins winner against Tottenham last weekend in North London, they defeated the Spurs and moved up to fourth place. The depth of Villa’s roster raises some concerns about their ability to mount a serious title challenge. However, they are currently one of the opponents.
Given that he wants his team to gain momentum ahead of a busy few days, Emery will settle for nothing less than a victory at the Vitality Stadium. Villa’s next opponents are Manchester City on Monday and league leaders Arsenal on Saturday. Therefore, the Villans need to win on Sunday in order to perhaps have some cushion going into the next two games.
News & Strategies for the Team
Bournemouth
Despite having a quite large injury list, Bournemouth had won their last two games. Andoni Iraola will not be able to count upon several of his first team stars, with Lloyd Kelly becoming the latest to join his teammates in the treatment room.
In the lead-up to the Villa match, Iraola can stick with the starting lineup that defeated Sheffield United, but there’s a chance to make some minor adjustments once some fit players return. The injury to Kelly will undoubtedly force Milos Kerkez into the starting lineup at left-back, and Justin Kluivert will have done his chances of starting a world of good with his goal against Sheffield United. Philip Billing will remain on the bench on Sunday. Tyler Adams, Max Aarons, Alex Scott, Ryan Fredericks, Emiliano Marcondes, and Darren Randolph are all on the list of the Villa match.
Dominic Solanke will lead the line and Marcus Tavernier, wearing a brace, will begin the attack on the left side. Given his recent impressive play, Antoine Semenyo will also start in the front three for Bournemouth.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Solanke
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery recently allowed some of his injured players to play again, as he did with Jacob Ramsey, Nicolo Zaniolo, Leander Dendoncker, and Jhon Duran during the midweek European match.
The only one of those who might stay on the team due to Watkins’ issue is Duran. After missing the midweek match due to discomfort, Emery stated that the striker was doubtful for Sunday. A late evaluation and the manager’s choice—who will be considering the matches against Manchester City and Arsenal—will determine whether to start the forward on Sunday.
Alex Moreno has given Emery a selection headache since he scored in the midweek European match. However, Lucas Digne may wind up being selected by the management for that left-sided role. Ezri Konsa will remain the starting right-back, while Diego Carlos and Pau Torres will take up the centre defensive positions.
Matty Cash may maintain his spot on the right wing going forward in a more attacking role. Another strong performance came from Youri Tielemans coming off the bench. With Boubacar Kamara out due to suspension, the Belgian will start in a midfield two alongside Douglas Luiz.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Cash, Tielemans, Luiz, McGinn; Diaby, Duran
Key Stats
- Bournemouth have not won three consecutive Premier League games since March 2016.
- Bournemouth have conceded 28 goals, which makes them the worst defensive team outside of the relegation zone in the Premier League.
- Bournemouth have won four of their last six games against Aston Villa in the Premier League.
- Aston Villa have won nine of their last 11 matches in all competitions.
- Aston Villa have kept only a single clean sheet in those 11 games across all competitions.
- The Belgian has not had the best of starts with Aston Villa, as he came in as someone expected to start games regularly. After a period of uncertainty and comments in the media pointing towards his unhappiness under Emery, Tielemans may have turned a corner with his recent displays.
With Kamara absent for the Bournemouth clash, it is another opportunity for Tielemans, especially with the quality of their upcoming games. He has laid an assist in each of his last two clashes in all competitions, as Emery will hope for further improvements from the Belgian when they face the Cherries on Sunday.
Prediction
Bournemouth 1-2 Aston Villa
Bournemouth are in a good run of form. But they have often faltered under pressure this season. Their recent wins over Newcastle United and Sheffield United may have put them in a healthy position. But the Cherries face the prospect of facing a top-four side in flying form.
Aston Villa will come into this clash under pressure to perform and seek a win, especially considering who they are facing in the following two clashes. Hence, Emery will want all his players to perform at their very best to take three points and keep the momentum with the side.
