Bournemouth vs Aston Villa predictions: In-form duo to serve up a cup cracker
Aaron Ashley
Bournemouth have won four on the spin, scoring 11 goals in the process
Aston Villa are unbeaten in eight, recording seven victories in that period
Both teams have scored in four of the last six meetings
Bournemouth and Aston Villa have both turned on the style after sluggish starts to the season and should see the EFL Cup as a good opportunity to claim some silverware.
The Cherries made it four wins on the spin with Sunday's emphatic 3-0 victory over Manchester United, while Villa are unbeaten in eight after handing Manchester City their first league defeat of the season on Saturday.
The latest Bournemouth vs Aston Villa odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Key Stats
Aston Villa are unbeaten in eight, winning seven times and triumphing four in a row
Bournemouth are on a four-match winning streak
Four of Bournemouth's last five games have featured at least three goals
Aston Villa have opened the scoring in six of their last seven matches
Both teams have scored in eight of Villa's last 10 fixtures
Both teams have scored in four of the last six meetings
Recommended Bets
Both teams to score
Over 2.5 goals
Emi Buendia anytime goalscorer
Pays 5.75/1 with LiveScore Bet
Score prediction
Team News
Both managers will be expected to rotate as they are also in Europe but Bournemouth remain without Alex Scott, Julian Araujo and Alex Toth.
Bafode Diakite, Julio Soler, Ryan Christie, Ben Gannon-Doak, David Brooks, Amine Adli and Alvaro Rodriguez could start, while Junior Kroupi has only recently returned from injury and may not be risked.
Modou Cisse, Amadou Onana, Matteo Ruggeri and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are sidelined for Villa, but there is potential for Leon Goretzka to make his first start.
The talented Brian Madjo could lead the line.
Need to know
Bournemouth were slow to get going as they adjusted to new manager Marco Rose's methods, but they are a perfect three from three in the Europa League and have recorded back-to-back Premier League wins over Sunderland and Manchester United.
The Cherries are starting to make up for lost time and believe they can challenge in the EFL Cup, after cruising past Championship outfit Lincoln in the previous round.
Aston Villa have had a similar season, after being forced to sell several star assets, but Saturday's 2-1 home win over Manchester City was their seventh victory in their last eight games.
The Villans have won their first three Champions League games and were impressive 3-1 winners away at Coventry in the previous round.
Prediction
Both teams are in form and, while heavy rotation is likely, it should not take away from the entertainment.
Bournemouth and Aston Villa have assembled deep, competitive squads and fringe players will be keen to stake their claim for more regular minutes.
Both teams have scored in eight of Villa's last 10 games and the trend should continue against Bournemouth, who have scored 11 goals in their last four matches.
Emi Buendia is not always a guaranteed starter in the Premier League but has been a regular in the Champions League and scored in wins over Club Brugge and Viking.
