Aston Villa will be bidding to equal a club record when they play Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Despite their recent exits from the Champions League and FA Cup, Unai Emery's side are still in the hunt for a top-five place in the Premier League table.
The West Midlands outfit make the trip to the Vitality Stadium with the opportunity to move into sixth position in the standings prior to the rest of the weekend's fixtures.
Should they be able to collect maximum points on their visit to the South coast, Villa would be matching a club record for top flight campaigns.
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What record can be equalled?
In previous seasons in the top tier of English football, Villa have never posted more than 31 victories in all competitions.
They will equal that number if they can overcome the Cherries, with the feat having being posted during 1976-77.
Furthermore, Villa must win to remain in contention to match their best-ever points total in the Premier League, that standing at 69 points.
Ollie Watkins also has a club record in his sights with the England international currently level on the most goals netted by a Villa player alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor.
That said, it is assists that have been easy to come by for Watkins in this fixture, contributing one strike and four assists in five previous outings against Bournemouth.
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Could stoppage time be key?
In all competitions this season, Villa have conceded 12 goals in the 90th minute or later, a record that will give encouragement to their hosts.
Bournemouth have netted a league-high eight strikes in stoppage time during 2024-25, the odds seemingly stacked against Villa with regards to that statistic.
That said, Villa are unbeaten in four league encounters against Bournemouth, while this is just the 15th competitive encounter between the sides in their history.
Darren Plant
