Aston Villa kicked off their Premier League campaign by taking maximum points against new-boys Bournemouth, courtesy of a 1-0 victory at the Vitality Stadium.
Rudy Gestede's debut goal 18 minutes from time proved the difference for the visitors, who had come close through Idrissa Gueye's attempt earlier in the half.
Bournemouth edged the first-half chances, but after failing to make the most of their openings they were made to pay when Gestede's powerful header found a way through.
Here, Sports Mole looks at who stood out on the South Coast in what was an historic fixture for the Cherries.
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BOURNEMOUTH
Goal
Artur Boruc: Perhaps could have come off his line a little more to help take control of his box, but did make a good stop to deny Gueye in the first half. (6/10)
Defence
Charlie Daniels: It was a very quiet contest for Villa's wingers, so it has to be a case of job done in terms of Daniels's workload for the afternoon. (6/10)
Steve Cook: Brought down Agbonlahor on the edge of the box after being caught out a little, yet he recovered well and remained strong at the back for the remainder. (6/10)
Tommy Elphick: Like Cook, Elphick did well enough on his Premier League bow by winning plenty of balls in the air. Gestede was given a free run for his headed goal, though, from the Villans' very first corner. (6/10)
Simon Francis: Pushed into advanced positions on numerous occasions, while also managing to get crosses into the box. Got in behind the Villa defence in the dying stages, only for his pass to be blocked at the near post. (6/10)
Midfield
Marc Pugh: If not for a solid Guzan stop on the edge of half time, Pugh would have had the honour of being Bournemouth's first Premier League goalscorer. Struggled for large parts, however, before being replaced 20 minutes from time. (5/10)
Andrew Surman: Very encouraging performance from the midfielder, who certainly stood out for the Cherries alongside Ritchie in the middle. (7/10)
Dan Gosling: Another who came close to opening his side's account late on in the opening 45 minutes, only to fluff his lines from five yards out. Also hit a few wayward passes in the first half. (5/10)
Matt Ritchie: Perhaps not as involved in attacking positions as the hosts would have liked, but Ritchie was still arguably his side's best player of the contest. Could be a huge season for the creative midfielder. (7/10)
Attack
Callum Wilson: Heavily involved in things, constantly trying to get in behind the Villa defence. The speedy forward managed to do so on a couple of occasions, but he could not find the net. (7/10)
Joshua King: Likewise, King's pace is very much an asset that Howe will be keen to take advantage of. The summer signing was the only new face in the starting lineup, but he was replaced early on in the second half as the Cherries looked to change things around. (6/10)
Substitutes
Max Gradel: Was only on the field for 20 minutes, yet the winger instantly made an impact by picking out Wilson from close range. (6/10)
Yann Kermorgant: Struggled to find his feet after being introduced. Will need to up his game to prove that he has the quality required for a place in the Premier League. (5/10)
Eunan O'Kane: The former Coleraine and Torquay United product was given five minutes at the end, which was too little time to make his mark. (5/10)
ASTON VILLA
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Goal
Brad Guzan: His wayward kicking is something that will need to be cut out, but the American stopper made two big saves to help provide the springboard for Villa to push on. (7/10)
Defence
Jordan Amavi: Looked very good when bursting down the flank, swinging in a few dangerous crosses which asked plenty of questions of the Cherries' defence. (8/10)
Ciaran Clark: Formed a solid partnership with new defensive partner Richards at the back. Took a risk when bringing down Wilson, yet he got away with it which was the correct decision on reflection. (7/10)
Micah Richards: Looked superb in the second half, standing strong when Bournemouth pushed forward to offer those around him plenty of confidence. Clean sheet on his first outing as captain, too. (7/10)
Leandro Bacuna: Went missing at times and, when compared to Amavi down the other flank, it left Villa a little lopsided. Still, he managed to keep out his direct opponent. (6/10)
Midfield
Jordan Veretout: Looked to be struggling for fitness at times, but he showed a few good touches on the ball and will clearly only get better with time in this fresh-looking side. (7/10)
Idrissa Gueye: His shooting was off the mark throughout, with one chance in particular shortly after the restart passing him by. Gueye certainly seemed to have something about him, however, and he is another who could thrive in midfield. (6/10)
Ashley Westwood: A great passer of the ball, who provided the cross for Gestede to head home the winning goal 22 minutes from time. (7/10)
Attack
Jordan Ayew: The weakest of Villa's five debutants. Struggled to get into the contest and was replaced on the hour. (5/10)
Gabriel Agbonlahor: Completed just one pass in the entire first half, yet he certainly grew into things more following the restart. Had one weak shot kept out by Boruc, while also playing in Gueye for a decent chance. (6/10)
Scott Sinclair: This attacking triumvirate can certainly provide goals - a major downfall of Villa's last term - but Sinclair will need to up things judging by this performance. (6/10)
Substitutes
Rudy Gestede: Introduced on 59 minutes, fluffed a volley on 68 minutes, headed home a debut goal on 72 minutes. The Benin international brings something different in attack, and he now has 20 headed goals since the start of the 2013-14 campaign - five more than any other player in England's top four divisions. (8/10)
Kieran Richardson: Introduced late on to provide some fresh legs, while also adding valuable experience. (6/10)
Carlos Sanchez: Will be hoping to play a bigger part this campaign, but he had to make do with an appearance from the bench this afternoon. (6/10)
Daniel Lewis
