Follow live coverage as Aston Villa face AFC Bournemouth today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola’s side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United’s latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year – yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it’s Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
Ouattara sneaks through to the right byline but is left outnumbered. His low cross looks to be easily cut out, but Konsa almost makes a mess of it before Villa ultimately clear any immediate danger.
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
SAVE! Travers makes a smart stop! After Ramsey’s drive into the area, Cook cuts out a low cutback. Tielemans picks the ball up, though, before turning two defenders and letting fly with a forceful angled shot towards the near post – Bournemouth’s back-up goalkeeper denies him!
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
Villa have had 62% of possession so far, and the hosts are happy to take their time with the ball at the back. They’re hoping to draw Bournemouth out and hit them at pace, with Watkins and Rogers both in top form of late.
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
An inswinging cross from the left by Kluivert almost meets a few Bournemouth’s bodies inside Villa’s area, but Martinez comes out to claim the ball above everyone else.
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
At the end of a quick passing move, Watkins lays a short pass off for Rogers on the brink of Bournemouth’s box, but the latter can’t control his shot which sails well over the crossbar. Villa have started the brightest so far.
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
With Unal back on the pitch, the action resumes. Watkins slips through a gap on the right side of the area and hits the right byline, but his cutback is blocked after a brief moment of panic between Travers and his defenders.