AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Follow all the action from Vitality Stadium
Follow live coverage as AFC Bournemouth face Aston Villa 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:
AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
After Digne concedes a corner, Tavernier takes it short to Semenyo, but Bournemouth again fail to capitalise on a set-piece opportunity. Instead, Villa burst forward on the break, and Ramsey wins the visitors a free-kick around 30 yards from goal.
AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
Starved of service, Watkins races after an angled ball up from the back, but it drifts away over the left touchline. He's only one goal away from breaking Aston Villa's Premier League goal record, but there have been no significant chances to do so today.
AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
There's no doubt that Bournemouth have bossed the ball - with a 67% share of possession so far - and they are now starting to push Villa back. There are 10 white shirts inside the visitors' defensive third, all shielding the box.
AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
Semenyo and Tavernier make a mess of a short-corner routine, but Bournemouth regain the ball. From deep, Huijsen sends a searching pass into the box, which skips away from Tavernier at the back post and behind for a goal-kick.
AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
Consistently good against the top eight, Bournemouth have won seven of 13 Premier League games against teams above them in the table, only losing three. They are keeping seventh-placed Villa at arm's length so far.
AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
Midway through this disjointed first half, it remains a fairly even encounter. As things stand, Opta's live win predictor has Bournemouth as slight favourites to prevail, with a 37% chance of victory compared to Aston Villa's 35%.
AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
Trying to catch the hosts out, Onana pumps a long ball through the centre for ever-willing Watkins to chase, but the Villa striker is beaten to it by Huijsen, who sweeps up any danger.
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