Bournemouth and Aston Villa will meet in the English Premier League on Saturday, with the two teams striving for different targets after contrasting seasons.

Once looking like a certainty to finish in the European places last season, Bournemouth’s campaign petered out into mid-table fodder.

Manager Andoni Iraola’s side has since been decimated by departures, and until a four-game unbeaten run in their last four matches, this season looked to be heading in the same direction.

Renewed optimism is brewing on the South Coast, but Aston Villa are flying, and personally, I don’t like it.

Yes, I am rattled by the ‘Sob On The Tyne’ banner unveiled at Villa Park in 2008, but it’s more so because Villa are everything Newcastle should be right now.

Anyway, Villa are seven points off Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table and, barring a capitulation in the second half of the season, they already have Champions League qualification wrapped up.

However, despite their resounding cup form in both Europe and domestically, manager Unai Emery’s side have won only two of their last six Premier League matches.

What are the best bets for Bournemouth vs Aston Villa?

Match to end in a draw, both teams to score

Bournemouth had become somewhat of experts in drawing matches, prior to consecutive wins over Liverpool and Wolves.

Eight of their 16 Premier League matches, before the beginning of this four-match unbeaten run, had ended in stalemates, and I could very much see that happening in this match.

Villa are competing on all fronts, and Bournemouth isn’t an easy place to – not least because it’s practically France.

I’d say back the draw and for both teams to score, given the tendencies of both teams to play an aggressive style of football.

Two of the last five head-to-head matches between these two sides have seen that exact selection land, whilst another seen both teams score but Villa win the game.

Emiliano Buendia to score

In terms of scorers, it isn’t easy to guess who is going to start up front for either side, so a chance is taken on Emiliano Buendia to find the net.

His impressive strike at St James’ Park was the last time that he found the net, but he has started in every match since scoring against Tottenham on January 10.

Where can I watch Bournemouth vs Aston Villa?

Due to the 3pm blackout rule, this fixture is not televised in the UK. However, fans will be able to tune into radio coverage from various sources.

These include, but are not limited to, both clubs’ respective media channels.

Viewers in the United States can tune into Peacock for live and exclusive coverage of this match. Kick off is at 11am EST.

What is Bournemouth’s current form?

W-L-D-W-W

What is Aston Villa’s current form?

L-W-W-W-L

What were the results of the last five head-to-head matches between Bournemouth and Aston Villa?

09/11/25 – Aston Villa 4-0 Bournemouth (EPL)

10/05/25 – Bournemouth 0-1 Aston Villa (EPL)

26/10/24 – Aston Villa 1-1 Bournemouth (EPL)

21/04/24 – Aston Villa 3-1 Bournemouth (EPL)

03/12/23 – Bournemouth 2-2 Aston Villa (EPL)

What is Newcastle’s predicted team?

Petrovic – Smith, Hill, Senesi, Truffert – Scott, Cook – Jimenez, Kroupi, Adli – Evanilson

Injured: Doak, Soler, Kluivert, Tavernier, Akinmboni, Adams

Doubt: Brooks

What is Aston Villa’s predicted team?

Martinez – Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen – Bogarde, Onana – Sancho, Rogers, Buendia – Abraham

Injured: Barkley, Kamara, McGinn, Edward, Tielemans

Doubt: Watkins

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