Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Follow all the action from Villa Park
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
Perhaps this scoreline should come as no surprise, as Bournemouth have now failed to score a first-half goal in seven of nine Premier League games this season - a league high - while they have also stopped their opponents from scoring before the break six times; only Liverpool and Arsenal have done so more often. Iraola and co are still waiting for their first clean sheet on the road, though. Can they hold out until the final whistle today?
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
The first half ends 0-0 at Villa Park, as both goalkeepers made crucial saves and the VAR ruled out a potential Aston Villa opener. The hosts' captain nearly led the way with an excellent finish, but a review decided that Watkins had previously failed to keep the ball in play, so Bournemouth could breathe again. The Cherries were also indebted to back-up 'keeper Travers for making two superb stops, but they also posed a threat through Kluivert and Ouattara. Villa lead the xG 0.73 to Bournemouth's 0.17, and they've had more possession too, but Emery will surely demand more from his team after the break.
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
Another pinpoint pass from Torres sets Digne away down the left, but Bournemouth quickly recover and Villa's attack is snuffed out. They've had a lot of help from their goalkeeper, but it's been a pretty good defensive performance from the visitors, who struggle to keep clean sheets away from home.
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
Although the ball is apparently drifting wide, Martinez athletically tips away a 25-yard shot by Ouattra, conceding a late corner. Can Bournemouth capitalise and open the scoring before half-time?
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
There will be at least four minutes added to this half for stoppages, such as the VAR goal check and several bookings for both sides.
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
CLOSE! Kerkez slings over an inviting cross from the left, which is ever so slightly behind Unal. The striker cranes his neck and glances a good header towards the target, but it zips just a few feet wide of the left-hand post!
Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
GREAT SAVE! When McGinn nods down a header towards Konsa, who is lurking on the edge of Bournemouth's box, the latter takes on touch and then lets fly from 20 yards. He catches it beautifully, but Travers flings himself high to make anothet top-class stop! He's making a great claim to be the Cherries' number one goalkeeper.
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