Where to Watch
When Is Kick Off? | Saturday 1 February |
What Time Is Kick Off? | 15:00 (GMT) |
Where Is It Played? | Vitality Stadium |
TV Channel/Livestream? | NBC Sports (US), Gillette Soccer Saturday, BT Score |
Referee? | Anthony Taylor |
Team News
Bournemouth head into the game with an injury list as long as your arm. Josh King, Jack Stacey and Chris Mepham are all sidelined, as is long-term absentee David Brooks.
Philip Billing is also a doubt, which could lead to an opportunity for Dan Gosling or the returning Lewis Cook.
Villa also have injury problems to contend with. John McGinn is still missing, alongside Tom Heaton and Wesley, who are out for the rest of the season.
Ally Samatta's arrival up front is a welcome relief for Dean Smith, and he could start up top after making his bow against Leicester in the Carabao Cup semi-final. Pepe Reina should return in goal, despite Ørjan Nyland's stellar performance midweek.
Predicted Lineups
Bournemouth: | Ramsdale; Smith, Cook, Ake, Rico; H.Wilson, Lerma, Gosling, Fraser; Solanke; C.Wilson |
Aston Villa: | Reina; Konsa, Mings, Hause; Guilbert, Nakamba, Luiz, Targett; Ghazi, Grealish, Samatta |
Head to Head Record
Historically, there isn’t much to look at between these two sides, having only played each other on eight occasions.
However, it’s the Cherries that have the worst record – conjuring up just three wins against Aston Villa.
Villa have emerged victorious on four occasions, with one match between the pair ending in a share of the spoils.
Bournemouth were victorious earlier in the season, though, as Harry Wilson's first goal for the club helped the Cherries earn a 2-1 win at Villa Park.
Recent Form
However, when we look at their recent form, Villa appear to be the slightly better side.
Bournemouth have won just one league game in their previous seven matches – a 3-1 victory against Brighton. Some of their most disappointing defeats include heavy defeats to relegation rivals West Ham and Watford, 4-0 and 3-0 respectively.
Last time out, the Cherries were knocked out of the FA Cup by Arsenal, losing 2-1 at the Vitality.
Aston Villa have conjured up more promising league results in recent weeks, picking up three wins from their previous six league games.
Confidence will be high from the midweek win over Leicester City, and memories of the 6-1 demolition at the hands of Manchester City should now be very much in the back of the players' minds.
Here’s how the two teams have performed in their last five games.
Bournemouth | Aston Villa |
Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal (27/01) | Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester City (28/01) |
Bournemouth 3-1 Brighton (21/01) | Aston Villa 2-1 Watford (21/01) |
Norwich City 1-0 Bournemouth (18/01) | Brighton 1-1 Aston Villa (18/01) |
Bournemouth 0-3 Watford (12/01) | Aston Villa 1-6 Manchester City (12/01) |
Bournemouth 4-0 Luton Town (04/01) | Leicester City 1-1 Aston Villa (08/01) |
Prediction
Although there isn’t much to separate these two sides, Villa's form is hard to look past - with Jack Grealish particularly impressive of late.
Bournemouth, on the other hand, are bereft of confidence, and it's hard to see where their next victory is coming from. Eddie Howe needs goals, but with Callum Wilson banking just one Premier League goal in three months and Dominic Solanke scoreless, you struggle to see that happening.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-2 Aston Villa
Source : 90min