Unai Emery will want Aston Villa to continue their soaring form against Bournemouth as a big test awaits the Midlands outfit.
Andoni Iraola’s name in the Premier League Manager of the Month list shows the incredible progress Bournemouth have made in November ahead of a tricky start to December against Aston Villa. The Cherries have recorded only three victories, all of which have come between the end of October and last weekend.
Victories against Newcastle United and Sheffield United have propelled the Cherries to a healthier position away from the relegation zone. Iraola will hope for another good showing and keep up the momentum; he will expect big things from his players.
Another nomination ☑️
Andoni Iraola is up for the @PremierLeague's Manager of the Month award for November!
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) November 30, 2023
Bournemouth are in a bit of a purple patch on home soil, winning their last two Premier League games at the Vitality Stadium. Iraola would undoubtedly like to make it three in a row and bring some daylight between them and those fighting in the bottom three, which could also further ease the pressure on the manager.
The big challenge for the Cherries will come in the form of stopping a flying Aston Villa side, who have propelled to new heights under Unai Emery. The Spaniard will want his side to maintain their recent form and make a statement win to fuel their ambitions further.
Last weekend’s terrific victory against Tottenham in North London, courtesy of an Ollie Watkins winner, took them into fourth at the expense of Spurs. There are some question marks over Villa’s squad depth to sustain a potential title challenge. But for now, they are among the challengers.
Emery will want nothing less than a win at the Vitality Stadium, considering he wants momentum for his side ahead of a busy few days. Next week, Villa will face Manchester City and then league-leader Arsenal on Saturday. Hence, a win on Sunday is imperative for the Villans, as they will hope to have some cushion heading into the next two games.
Team News & Tactics
Bournemouth
Bournemouth have managed to win their last two games despite having a fairly lengthy injury list. 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.
All set for a tough week of action 👊 pic.twitter.com/2BoMDa0eJz
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) December 1, 2023
Tyler Adams, Max Aarons, Alex Scott, Ryan Fredericks, Emiliano Marcondes and Darren Randolph are all part of the absentee list ahead of the Villa clash. Iraola can keep the same starting lineup that beat Sheffield United. But there is a chance of making slight alterations with some fit players back.
The Kelly injury will surely bring Milos Kerkez into the setup at left-back. Meanwhile, Justin Kluivert will have done his chances of starting a world of good with his goal against Sheffield United. He has kept Philip Billing on the bench, and that will remain the case on Sunday.
Marcus Tavernier, with his brace, will start on the left side of the attack, with Dominic Solanke leading the line. Antoine Semenyo will also have a place in Bournemouth’s front three, as the attacker has also impressed in recent weeks.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Solanke
Aston Villa
Unai Emery had some injured players return to fitness recently, as he gave a few of those some minutes during the midweek European clash — Jacob Ramsey, Nicolo Zaniolo, Leander Dendoncker and Jhon Duran game time against Legia Warsaw.
"We can trust any player we have in the squad." 🤝
Unai Emery provided an update on Ollie Watkins when he caught up with the media ahead of the weekend. 🗣️
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 1, 2023
Among those, only Duran might retain his place in the team owing to the problem with Watkins. Emery insisted the striker was a doubt for Sunday after missing the midweek clash with a pain. The decision to include the forward on Sunday will depend on a late assessment and the manager’s decision, who will have the Manchester City and Arsenal games in mind.
Alex Moreno, who scored in the midweek European fixture, has given Emery a selection headache. But the manager might end up choosing Lucas Digne in that left-sided position. At the back, Ezri Konsa will continue featuring as the right-back, with Diego Carlos and Pau Torres reprising the central defensive roles.
Further ahead, Matty Cash might keep his place in a more attacking position on the right flank. Youri Tielemans put in another impressive display off the bench, and with Boubacar Kamara missing through suspension, the Belgian will have his place set 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.
Player to Watch
Youri Tielemans
Youri Tielemans: "My confidence had always been there."
"I know that the last couple of weeks have been really good and I just want to keep that positive." 🙌
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 29, 2023
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.
