Aston Villa continue their top-four push against Bournemouth at Villa Park.
With Tottenham not in action this weekend, Villa will stay fourth but can open up a six-point gap with victory.
Bournemouth meanwhile can go tenth with a win if Wolves lose elsewhere.
Team News
Nicolo Zaniolo is a doubt for Aston Villa after he suffered a muscle injury during their dramatic Europa Conference League Quarter-Final win at Lille, albeit on penalties.
Douglas Luiz is serving the second of a domestic two-match ban here, with his suspension having not applied to Villa’s Europa Conference League visit to Lille.
Alex Moreno (calf) was absent in midweek and will again be sidelined for this game too.
Jacob Ramsey (foot), Tyrone Mings, Boubacar Kamara (both knee) and Emiliano Buendia (ACL) remain on the side-lines.
Bournemouth could welcome Antoine Semenyo back from a calf injury,
Luis Sinisterra suffered a setback in his recovery from his hamstring injury on his return in the Cherries’ 2-2 draw at home to Manchester United.
Chris Mepham (illness), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Tyler Adams (back) and Marcus Tavernier (hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Villa host Bournemouth at Villa Park in a 3pm BST kick-off on Sunday 21 April, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Aston Villa have claimed four points in their last six meetings against Bournemouth (W1, D1, L4).
- Bournemouth have won two of their three previous Premier League visits to Villa (W2, L1).
- Three of Villa’s last four home matches against Bournemouth have ended in a 2-1 result – of which Bournemouth won two of those three specific games by that result.
- Douglas Luiz has picked up more bookings this season than any other Villa player in the top flight, having received 10 yellow cards.
- Dango Ouattara has been utilised as a substitute more than any other Bournemouth player this season (16).
Prediction
Although this is a huge opportunity for Villa to put the pressure entirely on Tottenham to hunt them down in the next few weeks, there will be question marks over the fitness of various players after a physical trip to Lille where they needed penalties to keep their European dreams alive.
Their set piece defending though will need to be better than it was in Lille because Bournemouth certainly do have the qualities needed to cause huge issues if allowed time and space.
Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth though really should of beaten Man Utd because they had more passion and desire, yet some sluggish defending was punished although they were harshly denied a late penalty which meant that draw is a huge dent in their hunt of European qualification.
If there is one positive for the Cherries, it is the fact that they looked the more dominant and energetic team, because if they can bring that standard here and Villa look tired then I can see them nicking three points.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 Bournemouth
Result: Aston Villa 3-1 Bournemouth
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