Mueez Ajao
– Bournemouth marked their return to the Premier League with a confident opening-weekend victory over Aston Villa at the Vitality Stadium.
– The Cherries took the lead on three minutes – with Villa temporarily down to 10 men as left-back Lucas Digne was off the pitch to remove jewellery. Debutant Marcus Tavernier’s corner was headed down by Lloyd Kelly for Jefferson Lerma to fire home.
– They should have taken a two-goal lead into the interval but Kieffer Moore was unable to meet a low ball into the box from Adam Smith, who had been played through by the excellent Dominic Solanke.
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– Wales international Moore, who at the age of 29 was making his debut in the top flight, eventually doubled the home side’s lead with a commanding header on 80 minutes after Kelly played a dangerous cross back into Villa’s area.
– Prior to that, Danny Ings had a shot saved by Cherries keeper Mark Travers and new Villa captain John McGinn saw a long-range drive go high and wide, but it was debutant Boubacar Kamara who had gone closest to an equaliser for the visitors.
Opening day ๐ช ๐ pic.twitter.com/fFQ02DfPY2
— AFC Bournemouth ๐ (@afcbournemouth) August 6, 2022
– The French midfielder – a free transfer from Marseille – found himself in space and unleashed a right-footed effort from 30 yards that just went wide.
– Championship runners-up Bournemouth visit defending Premier League champions Manchester City next, while Villa welcome Everton.
