Resuming life in the top flight after a two-year hiatus, promoted Bournemouth welcome Aston Villa to the Vitality Stadium for their Premier League opener on Saturday.
While the Cherries took second spot in the Championship last season, to regain their place in the English elite, Villa had to settle for a mid-table finish after a campaign beset by inconsistency.
Match preview
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A baptism of fire awaits Bournemouth upon their return to the rarefied air of the Premier League, and the pressure is on to at least avoid defeat in their opening game, given a formidable fixture list through much of this month.
Soon faced with trips to Manchester City and Liverpool, as well as a visit from Arsenal, Scott Parker's side will hope to hit the ground running against Aston Villa, who they also played in the club's first Premier League match some seven years ago.
However, despite last season's relative success, many Cherries fans feel uneasy about a lack of signings this summer, and pundits are lining up to condemn them to relegation before a ball is even kicked in the 2022-23 campaign.
With few new faces forthcoming, Parker will rely on established regulars such as Jefferson Lerma, Lewis Cook, Philip Billing and captain Lloyd Kelly to excel at a higher level, while Dominic Solanke is expected to provide goals upon his top-flight comeback as a more experienced striker.
Last time around, Solanke managed only three after joining from Liverpool amid much fanfare, but the former England international has since racked up 44 goals in two Championship seasons.
Meanwhile Bournemouth's supporting cast will feature the returning David Brooks and Irish goalkeeper Mark Travers, both of whom could play a major role in attempts to keep the South Coast club afloat next May.
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By contrast with their hosts, Aston Villa intend to mount an assault on the Premier League's top six this season, despite a significant deficit to make up in just a few short months.
The ambitions of Steven Gerrard have been largely met by the Villans' ownership this summer, with Diego Carlos and Boubacar Kamara the most eye-catching arrivals, alongside the permanent signing of Philippe Coutinho.
Much of their summer business was done early, including a move for Blackpool boss Neil Critchley, who joins as Gerrard's assistant following Michael Beale's departure.
After a successful pre-season - featuring four wins and a draw - Villa also named a new captain to succeed previous incumbent Tyrone Mings, and midfield dynamo John McGinn will wear the armband this weekend and beyond.
Last term's 14th-placed finish in the league, allied to all-too-familiar early exits in the cups, fell far below expectations at Villa Park, amid talk of a challenge for Europe at the season's outset - having been given the opportunity to mould his squad over several months, this time, Gerrard's first full campaign must produce results.
With that in mind, Villa have been given a less than forbidding start: after the trip to Bournemouth, they face Everton, Crystal Palace and West Ham United.
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Team News
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As if Bournemouth's dry spell in the transfer market had not antagonised Scott Parker enough, summer signings Joe Rothwell and Ryan Fredericks - both of whom joined on free transfers - have been ruled out of the Premier League's opening weekend by injury.
Fredericks was acquired to provide competition for Jack Stacey and Adam Smith at right-back, but due to a calf problem for the former West Ham man, the latter is set to start on Saturday.
Midfielder Marcus Tavernier, who recently arrived from Middlesbrough, should at least feature at some stage; while Dominic Solanke leads the line up front. Junior Stanislas will hope to start in support of the hosts' frontman, following his strike in the final warm-up game against Real Sociedad.
Meanwhile, Villa are expected to field their own new additions, with Diego Carlos starting in central defence and Boubacar Kamara playing the 'number six' role. However, Kamara's fellow midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka has left for Chelsea after refusing to sign a new contract.
Swedish signings Ludwig Augustinsson and Robin Olsen will provide back-up on the bench, while Philippe Coutinho should pip Emi Buendia to a place in support of the central striker.
Whether Steven Gerrard opts for 4-3-1-2 or 4-3-3, Leon Bailey is in line to start following an impressive pre-season, but Ollie Watkins, Danny Ings and Cameron Archer must battle it out to feature up front.
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Travers; Smith, Mepham, Kelly, Zemura; Christie, Cook, Lerma, Anthony; Billing; Solanke
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Carlos, Digne; Kamara, McGinn, Ramsey; Bailey, Watkins, Coutinho
We say: Bournemouth 1-2 Aston Villa
Beaten just three times in 23 home games last season, albeit at Championship level, Bournemouth will be no pushovers at their own headquarters - but there is a gulf in quality between these two squads.
Since returning to the top-flight themselves three years ago, Villa have built a setup worthy of the top half, and can use their superior firepower to take three points back to Birmingham.
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Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
