• Bournemouth won 2-0 at Wolves last Saturday

• Aston Villa went down 1-0 at home to 10-man Brentford on Sunday

• Recommended bet: Eli Junior Kroupi anytime goalscorer

Mid-table Bournemouth would love to get into the European qualification conversation and a third straight win would certainly help their cause.

But standing in their way at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday are third-placed Aston Villa, who have a Champions League place to protect and are strong on the road.

The latest Bournemouth vs Aston Villa odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Team news

Big players Tyler Adams and Justin Kluivert are still sidelined for Bournemouth, who are hoping David Brooks could be fit. Marcus Tavernier is a major doubt.

A trio of midfielders, Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and John McGinn, are still missing for Villa. Amadou Onana is expected to be an option while Ollie Watkins is a doubt.

The stats

Bournemouth are unbeaten in five, culminating in back-to-back wins at home to Liverpool (3-2) and away at Wolves (2-0).

Villa have won only two of their last six in the Premier League, losing 1-0 at home to 10-man Brentford last time out.

The Cherries have been shown 59 cards (58Y, 1R) this season in the league, only Spurs (63) and Chelsea (60) have seen more.

Villa have won 10 of their last 14 away matches in all competitions and the Villa/Villa Half-Time/Full-Time bet has copped in each of the last three of those.

The latest Bournemouth vs Aston Villa odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

Expect a decent, open affair at the Vitality Stadium between two teams who need to keep their foot to the floor to realise seasonal ambitions.

Bournemouth have dropped into the bottom half and do not want to be there. Wins over Liverpool and Wolves have stopped the bleeding and a third straight success would probably see them back inside the top 10.

As for Villa, a possible title challenge has probably evaporated after a mixed run and they have Manchester United and Chelsea breathing down their necks for a top-four finish.

So the portents are good for a decent affair with the Cherries also determined to avenge a 4-0 hiding they were on the wrong end of at Villa Park in November.

Bournemouth have won six times at home, Villa six away, and to be honest there may not be a great deal between them.

Instead, have a look at the goalscorer markets and in particular focus on Bournemouth's newest superstar, Junior Kroupi.

The 19-year-old, signed from Cherries' partner club FC Lorient, has been a prolific scorer for France at age-group level and has now hit dizzy heights in his first season in the Premier League.

He has made only 10 starts as Andoni Iraola has weaned the youngster into the fray, but already he has eight goals, most recently last weekend in the 2-0 win at Wolves.

Back Eli Junior Kroupi to score at 7/4 with LiveScore Bet

The latest Bournemouth vs Aston Villa odds are available on LiveScore Bet