Aston Villa begin their 22/23 Premier League campaign against Bournemouth on Saturday. They head down-south confident, but will they suffer defeat against a newly-promoted side just like last year?
THE BUILD UP
Steven Gerrard’s men endured an exhausting and demanding pre-season, but an unbeaten one at that. The team will hope their form can continue this weekend as they look to better a disappointing 14th place finish.
The claret and blues played five games in a jam-packed month of July; winning four and drawing one. These contests consisted of a triumph at Walsall, victories over Brisbane and Leeds in Australia, a well-inspired comeback draw against Man United and success in Rennes to finish.
The latest tie saw summer recruit Diego Carlos bag his first goal for the club, after heading home from close range. The Villa faithful will be eager to see him in action again this weekend, alongside another core signing – Boubacar Kamara. Gaffer Gerrard will hope his new men can prove instrumental and propel the side towards European football.
A BIT ON BOURNEMOUTH
This week’s opponents, Bournemouth, have undergone a different fate this pre-season, losing 75% of the games they’ve played. Each was by fine margins, but unlike their weekend opposition, The Cherries enter the contest on the back of three losses.
Defeats against Braga, Bristol City and Real Sociedad will leave both Scott Parker and the Bournemouth loyals feeling frustrated heading into the upcoming season. The manager recently commented on the underwhelming transfer activity, stating that his squad is “lacking in a lot of areas”. The former Fulham boss also mentioned that it is “a ‘big ask’ for them to compete in the Premier League.”
Bournemouth will be encouraged by their recent signing, Marcus Tavernier, however. The winger joins for Β£10 million from Championship side Middlesborough, after a fine season that saw the 23 year-old register five goals and five assists. Cherries fans will hope their new recruit can hit the ground running and put in an inspiring display this weekend.
ON THE GO
Elsewhere this week, promising talent Carney Chukwuemeka departed Aston Villa to play football in the capital for Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea. The 18 year-old refused to sign a new lucrative deal with the claret and blue outfit with just a year left on his contract, and had teams such as Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Barcelona chasing his signature. The Blues would snap him up though, and the 5x Premier League have paid upwards of Β£15 million.
Back at Bodymoor, Anwar El Ghazi and Keinan Davis returned to full-time training. El Ghazi, who missed the four fixtures abroad, spent time away due to the arrival of his first-born child. Keinan Davis meanwhile, missed the entirety of pre-season with a hamstring setback sustained on the back of his loan spell with free-spending Nottingham Forest.
Both players face uncertain futures at Aston Villa, with each seemingly low down in the pecking orders for their positions. Will we see the duo depart, or do they still have a part to play in B6?
TO FINISH
This fixture began either side’s seasons in 2015 too, in a fixture that ended 0-1 courtesy of Rudy Gestede’s winner. Yet it was a campaign to forget for Villa after it ended their 28-year stay in the top flight. There have been catastrophic changes since and the fallen giants are now back on their feet and ready for another season.
With a full pre-season now under his belt, we can begin to see Gerrard’s Aston Villa take shape. Having made his own recruitment and installed the standards he demands, there is no room for excuses, and the results must come. This season is poised to be a big one for the former Liverpool captain, and he – more than anyone – will be hoping for the best possible start at the Vitality this weekend.
Will we see a dominant display from the boys in claret and blue and leave the south-coast with all three points, or will The Cherries mark their return with a shock victory at home?
AUTHOR | LIAM DAVIES
Author’s UTV PODCAST archive liamayrtondavies – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
UTV PODCAST | MATCH PREVIEW
UTV PODCAST HQ
SUBSCRIBE
Enjoying this article – then please subscribe to UTVPODCAST | An Aston Villa Blog to help us grow and support the site; you’ll receive instant email notifications of all released article.
Plus, it’s completely free.
VILLA BELLAS
Villa Bellas is the Official AVFC Womenβs Network. In an unequal and often unrelenting world we work to break down barriers for equality.
Our network aims to raise the voice of women and non-binary people at @AVFCOfficial We support inclusion & diversity and with our allies, we can challenge sexism and misogyny, creating a safe and welcoming environment for the fans in the stands and the women on the pitch.
Let’s celebrate ourselves and champion each other while having fun doing it!
Twitter: @villabellas Instagram: @villa.bellas
DONATE
UTVPODCAST | An Aston Villa Blogβ is accepting small donations, which will help to support the site’s ongoing evolution.
Thank you so much for your support.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook and Twitter readers, click the respective icon below to follow our utvpodcast social media accounts.
UTVPODCAST is pleased to partner with Official AVFC Store, Fanatics, Kitbag, and Classic Football Shirts. Throughout the season, we will bring you special offers and discount codes.
ASTON VILLA | AVFC STORE
2022/23 Aston Villa Home Shirt – Shop Now
ASTON VILLA | CLASSIC FOOTBALL SHIRTS
