Bournemouth v Aston Villa predictions: Cherries could be picked apart in opener

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Bournemouth v Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.

When to bet

By 3pm Saturday

Best bet

Aston Villa
1pt 21-20 General

Team news

Bournemouth
Summer signings Joe Rothwell and Ryan Fredericks are sidelined for the Cherries. David Brooks is still working his way back to full fitness after having recovered from stage two Hodgkin lymphoma.

Aston Villa
Defender Kortney Hause is out. New additions Diego Carlos and Boubacar Kamara could be in line for their Premier League debuts for Villa. A late decision will be made on Emi Buendia as he recovers from a quadricep strain.

Match preview

Scott Parker guided Bournemouth to the Premier League in his first season in the dugout last term but they could get a taste of what is to come in their opening match of the new campaign against Aston Villa.

The Cherries are 8-15 to go straight back down to the Championship and they begin the new season on the back foot with Parker insisting his squad is not big enough.

Two of the club's three summer signings - Joe Rothwell and Ryan Fredericks - have been ruled out for the game with Villa at the Vitality Stadium, leaving Parker particularly short in defence.

Villa underperformed to finish 14th last season but won two of their three away games against the league's relegated trio and their tally of seven league away wins was higher than that of Manchester United or Leicester City.

They should have enough attacking quality to capitalise on Bournemouth's defensive deficiencies and start the season with a win.

Key stat

Aston Villa lost only two of their final seven league games of the 2021-22 season.

Inside info

Bournemouth

Penalty taker Dominic Solanke
Assist ace Philip Billing
Set-piece aerial threat Philip Billing
Card magnet Philip Billing

Aston Villa

Penalty taker Ollie Watkins
Assist ace John McGinn
Set-piece aerial threat Diego Carlos
Card magnet John McGinn

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