Unai Emery’s Aston Villa are bidding to continue their fantastic season with another win as they head into the weekend just two points shy of top spot in the Premier League.
The Villains are fourth on the table and firmly in the Champions League chase, while Sunday’s opponents Bournemouth sit 16th.
Bournemouth have more than a few selection concerns with Max Aarons, Philip Billing, Tyler Adams and Alex Scott among their missing players.
Lloyd Kelly is a doubt for this weekend, while Emiliano Marcondes and Ryan Fredericks are also ruled out.
Aston Villa remain without Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia and Bertrand Traore for this clash, while Boubacar Kamara is suspended.
Ollie Watkins is expected to return for Villa after missing their midweek Europa Conference League clash with Legia Warsaw.
Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth may have hit the goal trail but they have struggled against top-five sides so far this season.
Aston Villa have won each of their last four games in all competitions, conceding in each.
Bournemouth have already met four of the top five heading into the weekend, losing each of those clashes by at least two goals.
Bournemouth have scored in five straight Premier League games.
Six of Aston Villa’s last seven matches in the league have seen both teams score.
Since taking charge at Villa, Emery has won 77 points — only Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool have more in that time.
Villa are the league’s joint-second highest scorers so far this season, while only two teams have conceded more goals than Bournemouth.
Aston Villa head the Vitality Stadium on Sunday having won four straight games, while they have been incredibly dominant across the calendar year.
The Villans have marked themselves out as one of the strongest sides in the Premier League, scoring 31 goals across 13 games this season.
They have also won 22 league games in 2023, with only champions Manchester City having won more.
Compare that with a Bournemouth side who have lost comfortably in four clashes with the top five this term.
The Cherries also have the league’s third-worst defensive record while they have lost seven of their 13 Premier League games this season.
Villa are worthy favourites to win here following their good run of form, but the only drawback is their defending as they have kept only two clean sheets across 13 league games this term.
However, having conceded in every game across their current winning run, it is still not holding them back all that much.
Bournemouth have at least scored in their last five Premier League outings, so look to them to find the net in a defeat.
