AFCB Vital Match Zone

Another Promoted Team – This Time Away

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Written by billythekid

Losing two points at home against Sheffield United after the Blades late in the game equaliser, the Cherries are on their travels for the first away game of the season. The destination is Villa Park the home of promoted Aston Villa. The last time Aston Villa were in the top league was in 2015-16 and they were relegated down to the Championship at the end of that season for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

Villa had a hard opening fixture back in the Premier League with a visit to London to play Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs) at their new ground. Villa took an early lead through John McGinn, Spurs were a shadow of the team of last season during the first half and Villa did have opportunities to increase their score, but the teams went in 0-1 at half-time. The second half up until the 74th minute Villa were holding their one-goal lead. The game changed when Christian Eriksen came on as a substitute for Spurs in the 64th minute, he made them tick and the London side scored 9 minutes later through their new club record signing Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon. Harry Kane opened his account for the new season with two goals in the 86th and 90th minute to give them a 3-1 victory. After having one shot on target in the first half, Spurs had a total of 31 shots against Villa’s 7. Spurs had 7 shots on target against 4 for Villa.

Aston Villa manager is Dean Smith, the second new English manager who came up from the Championship to play against the Cherries this season. Smith formerly of Brentford joined Aston Villa in October 2018 and brought them up via the play-offs in his first season in charge. He has lost the services of leading goal scorer Tammy Abraham who was on loan from Chelsea and in 37 appearances netted 25 league goals. Dean Smith had his first managerial role at Walsall.

Villa have been very busy during the transfer window spending well over £100 million according to reports. They have signed 12 new players. Striker Wesley Moraes from Club Brugge for £22 million (same club as we signed Arnaut Danjuma from). Defender Tyronne Mings from AFCB for £20 million. Midfield player Douglas Luiz from Manchester City for £15 million. Defender Ezri Konsa from Brentford for £12 million. Midfielder Marvelous Nakamba another player from Club Brugge for £11 million. Defender Matt Target from Southampton for £11 million. Winger Trezeguet for £8.5m from Turkish side Kasimpasa. Goalkeeper Tom Heaton from Burnley for £8 million. Four players on undisclosed fees, Winger Jota from Birmingham, Winger Anwar El Ghazi from Lille, Defender Kortney Hause from Wolves, Defender Bjorn Engels from Reims.

When we first played Aston Villa was back in the John Bond era of 1971-72. The away game was played in front of 48,110 and will be remembered for that fabulous diving header from old AFCB legend Ted MacDougall, the goal machine’s goal was not enough as the Cherries were beaten 2-1.
Looking at the table back then, it is interesting how the fortunes of the teams have changed from then to now. Villa finished as Champions of Division 3 with Brighton in second place and AFCB were third, all are now in the Premier League for the 2019-20 season.
From the 1971-72 Table, teams now out of the top four divisions and in Non-League football. This includes the World’s oldest professional football club Notts County. Below showing their positions at the time in Division 3.

National League
Notts County 4th
Chesterfield 13th
Wrexham 16th
Halifax 17th
Torquay U 23rd

National League North
York C 19th

The last time we played Aston Villa at their ground was in our first season in the Premier League. The game was towards the end of the season in April 2016 and the Cherries reversed the score of their first visit to Villa and won 1-2.
In our away visits AFCB have Won 1, Drawn 1, lost 2. In all competitions, AFCB have Won 2, Drawn 1, Lost 4.

Aston Villa Team News
James Chester hamstring injury. They may make some changes for this week according to reports.

Aston Villa Player To Watch
Watched the game live on TV and against Spurs John McGinn impressed me, scored the only goal against Spurs, is a hard-working midfield player who creates chances as well as having an eye for goal. The other player is again in midfield, Jack Grealish who was under the eye of a number clubs in the transfer window.

AFCB Team News
Injury front, David Brooks, Dan Gosling, Simon Francis, Lewis Cook, Junior Stanislas all have been long term injuries. Lloyd Kelly who hopefully will be back sooner rather than later. Arnaut Danjuma being assessed.

AFCB Player To Watch
Hard to tell who Eddie will start after last weeks unimpressive game. But think Eddie will stick to playing Callum Wilson upfront and hopefully he will open his account for us away at Villa. Then again Eddie may make changes, he certainly didn’t sound happy about certain individual performances and we might see one of the younger players who impressed in pre-season friendlies. Be good to see Harry Wilson given a start and who will be out to impress. Either he or one of the youngsters could just give the rest of the team the spark to get them back to the form of early last season. One game, so it’s early days to judge our side and individual players.

Martin Atkinson is the referee.

Did the Community Shield game and Newcastle v Arsenal this season.

Only once was he our ref last season in the 1-3 home defeat against Burnley.

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Up The Cherries!

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