AFC Bournemouth returned to the Premier League after an absence of two years on Saturday.
The Cherries hosted Aston Villa, managed by former England captain Steven Gerrard and boasting former Cherries Danny Ings and Tyrone Mings amongst their squad, along with seasoned internationals such as Philippe Coutinho, John McGinn and Lucas Digne.
A stifled transfer market has seen the Cherries struggle to make additions to the squad since their promotion to the Championship. A replacement for Liverpool loanee Nat Phillips could not be found ahead of the match and with a switch from a flat back four, to five at the back, AFC Bournemouth head coach Scott Parker partnered Lloyd Kelly, with Chris Mepham who enjoyed limited action in the Championship last season and Jefferson Lerma, playing in an unusual role from his more familiar midfield number 8 role.
Another notable surprise was to see Kieffer Moore start the match as the lone striker, but getting support from Phil Billing, Marcus Tavernier and Dominic Solanke in virtual midfield roles.
Ben Pearson anchored the midfield with Adam Smith and Jordan Zemura playing wingback roles.
The Cherries would go on to tactically outthink and outwork the visitors to collect all three points on the opening day, with goals from Lerma and Moore.
Man of the Match against Aston Villa
Kelly
Tavernier
Mepham
Lerma
Billing
Moore
Travers
Zemura
Someone else
After the match, Scott Parker told afcb.co.uk…
“What was most important for me was us taking our chance and showing a real passion, desire and commitment through whatever we may have faced.
“I thought we did that, and I was very proud of the team in that sense.
“We wanted to try and assert ourselves on the game, it was 11 men we were up against and ultimately, while there are players and teams with huge quality, they’re human beings.
“We need to take that fight constantly and the spirit, fight and quality we showed at times today is exactly what we need to bring.”
The boss ✊
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 6, 2022
Your say…
thegazzyb wrote…
100% effort from every player out there today and they deserve this win.
We need to be a bit calmer in our counter-attack build-up play but I think after that great start, the players wanted it a bit too much. Too many passes going astray today but hopefully, in future games, we will keep the ball a bit better.
Moore adds a lot to our team, such a shame he missed so much of last season, think we would have won the league with him in the side.
What a PL debut for Tavernier and Moore. This team has some talent and with a few fewer nerves, maybe our play will be easier on the eye.
A magnificent effort by the players today and the first three points in the bag already. Brilliant!
Vamosssss 💪 pic.twitter.com/yEJkBgSfB8
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 6, 2022
King Kieffer delivers again 👑 pic.twitter.com/xMMoEueVMy
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 6, 2022
Red_till_im_ded said…
Excellent performance from all. What was asked of Lerma in that position showed just how much of a professional he is. Tavernier had a solid debut and looks like he’ll settle in nicely. I think most of us raised eyebrows at the starting 11 but it has to be said Parker got that spot on. Villa were dreadful and I put some of that down to our industry and immense work-rate
Keiffer Moore my lord
Keiffer Moore.
Oh lord Keiffer Moore
He is going to be our rock upfront.
billythekid added…
Well, I enjoyed that and well done to Scott Parker with his selection today.
Playing Kieffer Moore and Dominic Solanke, Ben Pearson and the new lad Marcus Tavernier.
Took the lead early with Lerma finding the back of the net, 1-0.
Then in the second half, Kieffer Moore scored his 5th goal on the trot and what a bullet header it was. The other 4 in the last three games in the Championship.
Villa had most of the possession, but our team defended brilliantly.
Going into this game we were not given a chance, our lads and manager had other ideas and what a great start in the Premier League.
1:56 – Jefferson Lerma's goal after 1 minute and 56 seconds is the quickest goal scored on MD1 by a newly promoted team in Premier League history. Founding. pic.twitter.com/lmiiLIuMir
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 6, 2022
https://twitter.com/Jzemura3/status/1555979367897079808?s=20&t=HBRCKr_B4cxTC7xu6UhltQ
AFCB_Liam said…
The PL is gonna hate us this year! Are we the new Burnley?
Love it though, none of us have massive expectations but we asked for effort and discipline and every player showed that in spades today. We need a bit more composure on the ball, and maybe that will come through Cook, Stan and Brooks, but the gameplan was executed to a tee today.
That starting lineup came from nowhere really. None of us saw Pearlo or Moore starting. Hats off to Parker, Villa look complacent. – Join the conversation, click here.
