Host Villa Look to Pluck Bournemouth | OneFootball

Before the season started if you were to predict which of Bournemouth and Aston Villa would be sitting in the top five in November, it would almost certainly have been the latter. But it is a testament to the job Andoni Iraola has done at Bournemouth that it is in fact the Cherries who are sitting pretty, at least as far as European qualification via the standings.

Current Premier League table. Source: Sofascore

Surprising Bournemouth

Last week’s defeat to Manchester City was, of course, a blow. But they more than matched their opponents’ intensity and, like so many others, fell victim to Erling Haaland’s ruthlessness in front of goal (and their own high line which allowed the Norwegian space to operate).

This weekend’s clash with Villa is vital, not only to bounce back, but to test themselves against another top opponent.

“I think we have to learn from the games like Man City away and Liverpool away,” Iraola said, reflecting on his team’s only two league defeats this season.

“Last week when we conceded to be 2-1 down, straight away we conceded more chances and you can throw the game away. At Villa Park it will be like this. If they score a goal or have a big chance, they put you under pressure and if you are not focused and panic you can throw the game in five minutes. I hope we are ready mentally and trust ourselves to show a strong personality as it is not an easy place to play.”

Resilient Villa

Villa endured a rough start to the season but have bounced back of late, winning seven of the last nine in all competitions. They too were beaten last weekend, against a resurgent Liverpool side, but have proven themselves to once again be in contention for European qualification this season.

“Bournemouth defend well, get their duels, attack well in transition, set up good combinations with each other and like being offensive,” Villa boss Unai Emery said when asked about his side’s upcoming opposition. “They are very good at set-pieces because they are creative, but they also have a lot of power defensively.”

Power is the pivotal word in Emery’s assessment of Bournemouth. Premier League teams know that they will never have an easy ride against Iraola’s team. The Cherries run relentlessly and never shy away from a tackle.

It might seem a leap to say this could prove to be a crucial clash when it comes to deciding who qualifies for Europe come the end of the season. But these are the sort of games Bournemouth need to pick up points in if they are to defy the odds and finish in the top spots.

Villa, meanwhile, could move level on points with their opponents with a victory. That would also pull them closer to those European slots.

Whatever the result, this is bound to be a fiercely competitive encounter between two teams with big hopes.