Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction

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LIVE – Updated at 17:10

The 2023/24 Premier League season is under way and you can follow every game and every goal right here with The Independent.

This year sees Manchester City try to defend their crown and claim a historic fourth title in succession. Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City, who also won the Champions League and FA Cup last season, will have to see off Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and the rest to claim an unprecedented sixth league title in seven years.

Meanwhile Luton Town are making their first appearance in the Premier League, having risen from non-league in an incredible decade of progress. They followed Championship winners Burnley and second-placed Sheffield United in earning promotion to the top flight.

Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.

Aston Villa FC 3 – 1 AFC Bournemouth

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

17:10

Inching three points closer to a first-ever Champions League qualification, Aston Villa fight back from behind to beat Bournemouth 3-1 at a buoyant Villa Park. For all their dominance of the ball, the hosts almost went in at half-time with a deficit, following Solanke’s strike from the penalty spot, but Rogers fired home a crucial leveller. After the interval, Unai Emery’s side stepped up a gear, with Diaby and Bailey both finding the net as the Cherries were simply overwhelmed and Villa’s xG shot up to 2.35. The Villans’ first comeback win in the Premier League since December takes them six points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham, who still have two games in hand on their rivals for a cherished top-four finish. Bournemouth, meanwhile, sit 13th ahead of their return to the Midlands in midweek, when they visit Wolves at Molineux; Villa are back in action at home to Chelsea next weekend. That’s all from today’s live coverage, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

17:03

FULL-TIME: ASTON VILLA 3-1 BOURNEMOUTH

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

17:00

SAVE! Enes Unal is denied twice! First, Martinez makes a sharp stop at his near post, before the substitute’s follow-up effort hits Pau Torres on the goal-line! That would only have been a consolation goal, surely, but somehow the Cherries have to settle for a corner.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:59

Substitution Matthew Stuart Cash Kaine Kesler-Hayden

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:58

Having got his name on the scoresheet again, Diaby departs. Duran will replace him for the final few seconds.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:58

Now that their hosts have dropped back into a compact defensive shape, Bournemouth are finally bossing the ball. It’s all being played in front of Villa’s massed defence, though.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:56

There are to be at least five minutes added for stoppages at the end of the game, as Villa attempt to play out the remaining moments safely and wrap up three precious points in the Premier League’s top-four race.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:55

Despite making a number of substitutions, Bournemouth have still been unable to get a foothold in this second half, and it seems they’re heading for defeat.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:52

Not only has Watkins now laid on more assists than any other Premier League player this season, he has now set up four goals in his last four top-flight games against Bournemouth. Can he cap another excellent display with a late goal?

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:51

Substitution Leon Patrick Bailey Butler Diego Carlos Santos Silva

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:49

Enes Unal almost makes an immediate impact, as he is on hand to turn home a loose ball once Martinez makes another save. However, the flag is then raised for offside.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:47

The intensity has dropped at Villa Park, as the home side drop back a few yards and seek to defend their two-goal lead until full-time. Is there any way Bournemouth can respond? They’ve barely laid a glove on Villa since the interval.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:46

Substitution Dango Aboubacar Faissal Ouattara Enes Ünal

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:42

Assist Oliver George Arthur Watkins

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:41

CLOSE! Watkins stops Zabarnyi in his tracks then shifts the ball and tries to beat Neto from the edge of the box; however, his powerful strike is sent wide of the right-hand post!

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:40

Substitution Justin Dean Kluivert Philip Anyanwu Billing

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:40

Bailey’s latest corner from the right is just about punched away to relative safety to Neto, as Aston Villa’s siege continues. Can they score a third goal to kill this game, or will Bournemouth be able to sting them on the break?

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:40

Substitution Ryan Christie Alex Jay Scott

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:40

Although their lead is only one goal, Villa’s level of control is impressive for a team that undertook a tough midweek trip to France. The live win-probabilty calculator suggests that they have an 82 per cent of victory now.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:37

Having done well to put Cash on the back foot and drive into the area, Semenyo slices his subsequent shot, which rises over the crossbar to jeers from the home supporters. It’s a reminder, though, that Bournemouth remain a real threat on the break.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:35

Tielemans initially takes Villa’s latest corner short, but when he then delivers a ball into the danger area from a different angle, Semenyo is on hand to help Neto out, heading the ball away.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:34

Neto misses his punch from Bailey’s inswinging corner-kick, and it will be another set-piece situation for the home side now, this time on the opposite side. Aston Villa are totally on top.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:32

Tielemans delivers a corner-kick from the left, but Neto and Outtara combine to get the ball clear from near the penalty spot. Villa regain possession soon after, but Kerkez does well to earn a throw-in off Bailey deep inside his defensive third.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:29

Villa are still pressing forward, as they seek to capitalise on their momentum. Since the second half started, they’ve gone up a gear or two.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:29

SUPER STOP! Martinez is Villa’s hero again! Standing firm at his near post, the Argentinian goalkeeper denies Outtara an equaliser! The latter had peeled away to meet a cross with a firm header towards the top corner, but he’s denied!

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:27

Substitution Marcos Nicolás Senesi Barón Antoine Serlom Semenyo

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:25

Watkins has his 11th assist of the season, with Diaby now reaching nine goals. Their combination puts Villa on course to draw further clear of Tottenham in the hunt for Champions League qualification, but Bournemouth will surely pose some more problems before the final whistle.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:21

Assist Oliver George Arthur Watkins

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:20

Goal Moussa Diaby

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:20

Again troubled by Watkins just outside his own area, Zabarnyi tussles with the Villa striker and brings him down to the turf. That’s a booking for the Bournemouth defender.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:20

Keen to keep top up his already impressive goal tally, Watkins is caught offside when Bailey and Diaby combine on the right and almost successfully send their team-mate away. Bournemouth’s back four held their line well there.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:18

Following a slip by Zabarnyi just outside his own area, Watkins takes advantage and hares inside from the left into a shooting position. However, his shot scuttles straight towards Neto in the centre of Bournemouth’s goal.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:15

The hosts have resumed their dominance of the ball during the early phase of this second half. Given their hectic schedule, having played for over two hours in Lille on Thursday, can they sustain this?

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:14

After Aarons can’t quite keep Bournemouth’s attack going, as he struggles to reach an overhit throughball towards the right byline, Villa move forward on the counter. Bailey’s reverse pass inside the box is cut out, though.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:10

Aston Villa kick off, and we are back under way in Birmingham!

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:09

Substitution Adam James Smith Maximillian James Aarons

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:04

Bournemouth have now conceded 12 Premier League goals in the last 15 minutes of the first half this season – no team has shipped more during that time period – and that Achilles’ heel has cost them again today. As Villa have scored 33 first-half goals in 34 games – only Arsenal have managed more – perhaps it was inevitable, though. Let’s see how the second half unfolds!

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

16:01

After finally converting their dominance of the ball into a first shot on target, Aston Villa draw level with Bournemouth just before the break, as the first half ends 1-1 at Villa Park. While the Cherries occasionally threatened on the counter – resulting in an xG of 1.09 so far – it took a Villa error to open the door for their goal, as Cash toppled Kerkez in the box before Solanke stepped up and fired in a superb spot-kick. Just as it seemed that the visitors would head down the tunnel with a one-goal advantage, Rogers pulled their hosts level, leaving the game well poised ahead of the second half.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:54

HALF-TIME: ASTON VILLA 1-1 BOURNEMOUTH

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:54

McGinn’s looping ball over the top picks out Villa goalscorer Rogers on the left byline, but he only gets there at full stretch and simply steers it straight towards the waiting Neto.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:52

In the third minute of stoppage time – at least five have been indicated – Kerkez comes forward into an unfamiliar shooting position and prods a tame effort over the crossbar with his weaker right foot.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:48

Assist Leon Patrick Bailey Butler

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:48

Again making the play from out wide on the right, Bailey slides through a precise pass for Cash, whose cross from the byline is blocked behind for a corner. Solanke drops back to head the subsequent set-piece delivery away inside his own six-yard box.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:45

Once play is temporarily halted, as Bailey picks up a knock, the game gets back under way. Time is running out for Aston Villa if they are to engineer an equaliser before the half-time break.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:44

Diaby slides the ball around his marker on the right side of Bournemouth’s box, but Rogers opts to shoot first time with an attempt on the turn. That was never really on, and it dribbles wide of the near post by some margin.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:43

After Digne is caught offside on the left flank, Bournemouth flood forward on the counter. At the end of a quick move upfield, Kluivert’s deflected cross-shot from 20 yards is deflected behind for a Cherries corner.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:39

With the rapid Diaby set to run away from him up the touchline, Senesi trips his opponent and is booked by the referee.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:39

Using his shoulder, Zabarnyi guides Watkins off the ball near the byline, just inside Bournemouth’s area, and Villa’s impassioned penalty claims are rejected by the officials. The VAR is not interested either.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:38

One of several players vying with Watkins for selection in England’s Euro 2024 squad, Solanke has now scored his 18th goal in the Premier League this season – half of those strikes have been the opener, too.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:35

CLOSE! Not long after erring by giving away a penalty, Cash almost makes amends! He arrives unmarked on the edge of Bournemouth’s box, then screws a low shot narrowly wide of the left-hand post!

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:32

Penalty Goal Dominic Ayodele Solanke-Mitchell

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:32

PENALTY FOR BOURNEMOUTH! Cash is caught out by Kerkez, who latches onto Kluivert’s pass in the area, then checks inside and is brought down by Aston Villa’s right-back! That’s a penalty for the Cherries, and the referee doesn’t hesitate to point to the spot!

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:32

With Bournemouth enjoying their best spell of territorial advantage thus far, Christie tries his luck with a low shot that he ultimately scuffs wide of the left-hand post.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:29

From the left, Kluivert clips over a lovely cross for Outtara at the back post, but the latter hurries his attempt and turns it straight into the side-netting from an admittedly tight angle. Still, that was at least a half-chance.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:27

MISS! After more good work from Bailey down the right, the Jamaican winger’s low cutback into the six-yard box tees up a great opportunity for Diaby to open the scoring. However, he can only guide his close-range shot several yards wide of the left-hand post! Bournemouth breathe again!

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:26

Aston Villa have had 65 per cent of the ball so far, but only Bournemouth have managed to force a shot on target. The hosts will be keen to make more of their dominance, but the visitors can be quite content.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:23

NO PENALTY! After mulling over a few replays, the VAR decides Digne did not commit a handball offence inside his own area, so the game goes on!

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:23

Yellow Card Adam James Smith

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:22

PENALTY REVIEW! Following Bournemouth’s corner from the left, Digne appears to have made contact with the ball using his arm, and the VAR has initiated a review! The Cherries could have a spot-kick!

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:21

SAVE! Having driven inside from the left, Kluivert unleashes a thunderous strike towards the top-left corner, but Martinez proves equal to it! The Villa goalkeeper leaps up to tip the ball over his crossbar for a corner – Bournemouth’s first of the game.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:19

Villa are still lacking the final touch. After Bailey’s clever back-heel sends Rogers away on the right, the latter’s cross – which is stood up towards the six-yard box – is comfortably cleared away.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:17

Diaby is imprecise again, as his low cross from the right is struck too firmly for Pau Torres to reach at the back post. Still, the home side are seizing control of this contest now. Bournemouth are not seeing much of the ball.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:16

Bailey flips a delightful ball over the top for Diaby on the right, but the latter’s first touch comes just short of bringing it under his spell and Bournemouth mop up any danger. On the touchline, Unai Emery urges patience from his players.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:14

After Cash hurls a long throw-in towards the penalty spot, where several players contest it, Rogers bundles over Smith and concedes a free-kick. For a moment, Bournemouth seemed to be caught off guard.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:11

Attempting to sprint clear down the left, Solanke is caught offside, as he just fails to time his run right and Aston Villa’s high defensive line succeeds in doing their job.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:10

The shot by Watkins took a deflection, and following the subsequent corner, McGinn picks the ball up on the right and drives towards the box. His rather hurried shot is then skewed well wide of the left-hand post. Neto simply watches it fly out of play.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:08

Watkins gets his first look at goal, as Diaby rolls through a pass from the centre, before Villa’s star striker rifles a powerful shot well over the crossbar from the edge of Bournemouth’s area.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:08

Two teams with a similar philosophy are meeting today, with neither managing to gain any control of the game as yet. Both sides’ Basque bosses like their team to keep the ball and press their opponents.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:03

Bournemouth kick off, and we are under way in Birmingham!

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

15:02

The players are out on the pitch at a sunny Villa Park, and kick-off in this Premier League contest is now just moments away!

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

14:53

There is just one enforced change for Bournemouth from last week’s meeting with Manchester United: Luis Sinisterra has injured his hamstring and could now miss the rest of the season. The Colombian winger is replaced by Kelly, as Kerkez shifts further up the left flank. Semenyo is available again and takes a place on the bench, but Marcus Tavernier still joins Ryan Fredericks and Tyler Adams on the sidelines.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

14:53

Emery makes two changes to the Aston Villa side that started in Lille, as Nicolo Zaniolo misses out after sustaining an injury and Douglas Luiz is suspended; Rogers and Bailey return. Cash starts his first Premier League match since a month-long layoff, but long-term absentees Boubacar Kamara, Emi Buendia, Tyrone Mings and Jacob Ramsey have been joined by Alex Moreno in a busy treatment room.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

14:48

SUBS: Mark Travers, Alex Scott, James Hill, Antoine Semenyo, Enes Unal, Philip Billing, Max Aarons, Callan McKenna, Michael Dacosta Gonzalez.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

14:44

BOURNEMOUTH (4-2-3-1): Neto; Adam Smith, Illia Zabarnyi, Marcos Senesi, Lloyd Kelly; Lewis Cook, Ryan Christie; Dango Ouattara, Justin Kluivert, Milos Kerkez; Dominic Solanke.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

14:44

SUBS: Robin Olsen, Diego Carlos, Calum Chambers, Clement Lenglet, Jhon Duran, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Tim Iroegbunam, Finley Munroe, Omari Kellyman.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

14:44

ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Emi Martinez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne; Leon Bailey, Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, Morgan Rogers; Moussa Diaby, Ollie Watkins.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

14:39

Watkins struck a late equaliser in December’s reverse fixture, which finished in a 2-2 draw, but Bournemouth have still won four of their seven Premier League games against Aston Villa to date. Since mid-November, only England’s top four have fared better than the mid-table Cherries, who have racked up 10 wins en route to tallying 36 points over that period. Andoni Iraola’s side came close to doing the double over Manchester United last week, though they ultimately had to settle for a 2-2 home draw despite leading twice.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

14:33

Having edged through to the Europa Conference League semi-finals with a dramatic penalty-shootout win over Lille – eventually prevailing 4-3 on spot-kicks – Aston Villa now return to their pursuit of a place in the Premier League’s final top four. That aim was aided by last week’s defeat of title-chasing Arsenal, in which top scorer Ollie Watkins found the target once again. Though Unai Emery’s men lead Tottenham in the race for Champions League qualification, they only escaped with a point from their last encounter with Bournemouth and can take nothing for granted today.

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

14:33

Hello and welcome to live coverage of today’s Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Bournemouth at Villa Park!

Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth

14:00

Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…