Bournemouth grab win over Aston Villa on Premier League return – Sporting Life

Bournemouth made a winning return to the Premier League by comfortably beating Aston Villa 2-0 at home on Saturday, thanks to an early strike from Jefferson Lerma and Kieffer Moore’s towering headerin the second half.

Scott Parker’s Bournemouth, back in the top flight following a two-year absence, out.ed Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa, who were toothless.

With us every step of the way 😍 pic.twitter.com/OK8NgBUqAp

— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 6, 2022

Advertisement

“We understood the challenge we faced today. It was crucial we got a result,” Parker told the BBC.

“My message to the .ers was to embrace the challenge. T. are many more challenges coming but with that attitude, we have a chance.”

Colombian midfielder Lerma put Bournemouth in front in the second minute when he pounced on a loose ball from a Lloyd Kelly knockdown and smashed it into the back of the net.

Villa dominated possession but they failed to create enough chances with Danny Ings struggling to make an impact against his former club, while .maker Philippe Coutinho also looked disappointing.

Villa’s new signing Boubacar Kamara, a free transfer from Olympique Marseille, came closest to scoring the equaliser when he unleashed a long-range effort in the 65th minute that went wide of the post.

Opening day 𝗪 😍 pic.twitter.com/fFQ02DfPY2

— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 6, 2022

Advertisement

Read Also: EPL: Tottenham brush Southampton aside in opener after early setback

The visitors looked rusty and were left to rue their dismal defending when an unmarked Moore wrapped up Bournemouth’s victory with a header in the 80th minute, as he met defender Kelly’s looping cross from the right.

“To come away three points on the opening day of the season is all that we wanted,” Moore, a former non-league striker, said.

“We wanted to physically impose ourselves and we did that. We want teams coming . to be almost scared of us. We executed the game plan perfectly.”