Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Follow all the action from Villa Park
The 2023/24 Premier League season is under way and you can follow every game and every goal right here with The Independent.
This year sees Manchester City try to defend their crown and claim a historic fourth title in succession. Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City, who also won the Champions League and FA Cup last season, will have to see off Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and the rest to claim an unprecedented sixth league title in seven years.
Meanwhile Luton Town are making their first appearance in the Premier League, having risen from non-league in an incredible decade of progress. They followed Championship winners Burnley and second-placed Sheffield United in earning promotion to the top flight.
Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
Keen to keep top up his already impressive goal tally, Watkins is caught offside when Bailey and Diaby combine on the right and almost successfully send their team-mate away. Bournemouth's back four held their line well there.
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
Following a slip by Zabarnyi just outside his own area, Watkins takes advantage and hares inside from the left into a shooting position. However, his shot scuttles straight towards Neto in the centre of Bournemouth's goal.
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
The hosts have resumed their dominance of the ball during the early phase of this second half. Given their hectic schedule, having played for over two hours in Lille on Thursday, can they sustain this?
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
After Aarons can't quite keep Bournemouth's attack going, as he struggles to reach an overhit throughball towards the right byline, Villa move forward on the counter. Bailey's reverse pass inside the box is cut out, though.
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
Aston Villa kick off, and we are back under way in Birmingham!
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
Substitution Adam James Smith Maximillian James Aarons
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth have now conceded 12 Premier League goals in the last 15 minutes of the first half this season - no team has shipped more during that time period - and that Achilles' heel has cost them again today. As Villa have scored 33 first-half goals in 34 games - only Arsenal have managed more - perhaps it was inevitable, though. Let's see how the second half unfolds!
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
After finally converting their dominance of the ball into a first shot on target, Aston Villa draw level with Bournemouth just before the break, as the first half ends 1-1 at Villa Park. While the Cherries occasionally threatened on the counter - resulting in an xG of 1.09 so far - it took a Villa error to open the door for their goal, as Cash toppled Kerkez in the box before Solanke stepped up and fired in a superb spot-kick. Just as it seemed that the visitors would head down the tunnel with a one-goal advantage, Rogers pulled their hosts level, leaving the game well poised ahead of the second half.
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