Bournemouth vs Aston Villa Prediction: Cherries the pick on the south coast

Aston Villa moved to fourth in the Premier League table after last weekend’s victory against Tottenham and its seven wins in eight in all competitions for Unai Emery's side ahead of Sunday’s trip to Bournemouth. 

It’s an impressive run from Villa, but Bournemouth have recorded excellent back-to-back Premier League victories over Sheffield United and Newcastle and it sets up what should be an entertaining contest on the south coast.

Match Odds

Bournemouth are 12/5 to win on home soil on Sunday, while Villa are EVS to claim the three points at the Vitality Stadium. A draw on the day is currently 11/4.

In-form Ollie Watkins in the shortest price in the anytime goalscorer market at 5/4 to find the back of the net on Sunday.

Team News

For the hosts, Lloyd Kelly picked up a hamstring injury at Sheffield United and will miss the visit of Aston Villa. Max Aarons, Tyler Adams, Alex Scott and Ryan Fredericks are out.

Ollie Watkins missed Villa's midweek tie with Legia Warsaw but could be fit to return. Boubacar Kamara is suspended and Bertrand Traore, Emiliano Buendia and Tyrone Mings are injured.

Bournemouth to win @ 12/5

Aston Villa have won seven of their last eight matches and that’s an impressive record, but scratch below the surface and there are reasons to think Emery’s men may be a little overrated by the prices on Sunday.

Villa’s victories have come against West Ham, Luton, Fulham, Legia Warsaw, two games against AZ Alkmaar and Spurs.

Tottenham are an excellent team, but they had 10 first-team players missing last weekend and Ange Postecoglou’s men could have been three or four up in the first half.

Villa rallied well and played well in the second period to secure 2-1 victory, but it’s not hard to think that the Villans have been a little flattered by a kind run of fixtures.

Bournemouth were fantastic when beating Sheffield United 3-1 last time out and Newcastle 2-0 previously and the Cherries racked up 37 shots on goal in those two games.

Andoni Iraola appears to have found the right formula on the south coast and Bournemouth look a good bet on Sunday.

#PickYourPunt - over 2.5 goals & Douglas Luis to be carded @ 3/1

There have been 29 goals in Aston Villa's last eight matches and seven of those games have gone over the 2.5 goal mark. Bournemouth have seen 33 goals scored in their last eight games and the Cherries are certainly a forward-thinking side under Iraola.

Backing over 2.5 goals in the first leg of a pick your punt looks a sensible wager.

Villa are a competitive side and Emery’s men are averaging 2.31 yellow cards per game in the Premier League this season. Douglas Luis has collected seven bookings this term and the holding midfielder could be in trouble again.

Bournemouth are likely to be competitive in this contest, which could mean plenty of defensive work for Luis, and the Cherries opponents are averaging 2.54 cards in the top-flight this term.

Backing Luis to be shown a card can complete the second part of the bet.