The moment has arrived and Bournemouth can hardly wait to get going. Their first ever season in the top flight begins with a home game against Aston Villa, the Vitality Stadium should be rocking and Eddie Howe’s side will be determined to prove that winning the Championship was no fluke. As for Villa, there is an air of uncertainty around Tim Sherwood’s side after the sale of Fabian Delph and Christian Benteke. Jacob Steinberg
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Vitality Stadium
Last season n/a
Referee Mark Clattenburg
Last season G27, Y93, R3, 3.67 cards per game
Odds H 10-11 A 3-1 D 5-2
Bournemouth
Subs from Allsop, Federici, Rantie, Daniels, Smith, MacDonald, King, Ward, Kermorgant, Stanislas, Atsu, Distin, O’Kane, Cargill, Tomlin
Doubtful Gradel (awaiting clearance), MacDonald (toe)
Injured Arter (hip, 22 Aug)
Suspended None
Discipline (last season) Y76 R3
Top scorer (last season) Wilson 20
Aston Villa
Subs from Bunn, Steer, Baker, Bennett, Agbonlahor, Cole, Senderos, Veretout, Richardson, Hutton, Sánchez, Kinsella, Kozak, N’Zogbia, Donacien
Doubtful Agbonlahor (ankle), Crespo (knee), Sánchez (match fitness)
Injured Gil (knock, 14 Aug), Grealish (hamstring, 14 aug), Gardner (ankle, 13 Sep), Okore (knee, 13 Sep)
Suspended None
Discipline (last season) Y73 R7
Top scorer (last season) Benteke 13
