Aston Villa vs Bournemouth: Betting Odds & Prediction

Champions League-chasing Aston Villa host Bournemouth at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon hoping to secure three more vital points in their chase for European football. 

The two sides played out a 2-2 draw on the South Coast earlier this season. Kick-off is set for 3pm UK time. 

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Aston Villa

Unai Emery's men come into the fixture on the back of a statement 2-0 away victory at former table-toppers Arsenal last weekend. The result cemented their position as the frontrunner for fourth place, taking advantage of Tottenham Hotspur's loss at Newcastle the previous day. They also face Lille in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League quarter-final tie in midweek.

Aston Villa’s home form has been slightly better than their away form, averaging 2.19 points per game (W11, D2, L3) at Villa Park compared to 1.65 points in away fixtures. Villa have seen a positive goal difference of +18 in their home matches after scoring 40 and conceding 22 in their 16 games. 

Villa have an average of 14.87 shots per home game, with an impressive 16.81% conversion rate. They have managed to score in 93.75% of their home matches this season, and scored two or more in 62.5% of those games. Striker Ollie Watkins has been a vital cog in their success, and netted his 19th league goal of the campaign at the Emirates last week. 

Defensively, Villa have conceded an average of 1.37 goals per game at home, so far. 37.5% of their home fixtures have seen them ship at least two goals. Villa have kept a clean sheet in just 25% of their home games.

Bournemouth

Andoni Iraola's side were unlucky not to secure all three points at home to Manchester United last week, eventually drawing 2-2 with the Red Devils despite taking the lead on two separate occasions. 

Bournemouth have only played away once in their last six Premier League fixtures - that being a 2-1 defeat at Luton Town - and the Cherries have averaged 1.2 points in away games this term. This compares with the 1.41 they've averaged on home soil. 

They've failed to score in just 7% of away matches so far, and have scored two or more in an impressive 46%. They have however shipped two or more in 60% of these matches, an ominous figure given Villa's impressive scoring record at Villa Park. 

Prediction

Bournemouth have enjoyed a superb season and are just two points from tenth place heading into the fixture. However, they're facing an Aston Villa side who look hellbent on securing a top four finish this term.

Unai Emery's side have been relentless at home this season, and their goalscoring habits combined with a leaky Bournemouth defence on the road make a home victory the sensible pick in this one.

OddsNow's Picks: Aston Villa to win (4/5 @ Coral); Over 2.5+ goals scored (7/4 @ Betfair)