Are Villa and Chelsea in title race?published at 09:18 28 October
09:18 28 October
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Aston Villa are level on 18 points with Arsenal in the Premier League, while Chelsea are just one point behind in fifth, so could it be a five-team title race this season?
"It is about consistency and not getting carried away nine games into a season," said former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "It is very easy to get sucked into early season performances.
"Bluntly, I don't think either of them can (challenge)."
Ex-midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker added: "It is hard to disagree with Paul [Robinson] but of the two Aston Villa would be more equipped to do so under Unai Emery."
'Clever' set-pieces and Villa's 'warning sign'published at 07:59 28 October
07:59 28 October
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Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer has been discussing Bournemouth's "clever" set-pieces on Match of the Day, after the Cherries grabbed a late point against Aston Villa thanks to a set-piece from a free kick.
"We saw them do the same thing against Arsenal, where they worked it really well," Shearer said. "Their plan in this game was actually going to the far post. They did it so many times but [Emi] Martinez had no problems with those balls because he loves that.
"If you are going to put a ball in to the far post like that, he will come and get them all afternoon.
"But then Evanilson comes on and Bournemouth changed their tactics, they tried something different. The first one didn't really work but they worked it quite well, and I think that should've been a warning sign for Aston Villa.
"The second one was in a similar sort of position and if Matty Cash comes five-yards further back, which he should have done because he was in no man's land, he would have been able to defend it.
"But Evanilson was just allowed to run off Jhon Duran and score. Rather than going to the far post again, Bournemouth instead worked the ball really well. It was a clever ball in, clever moment and a wonderful header.
"That then ends up getting them the point - they are clever from set-pieces."
Catch up on the Premier League actionpublished at 11:12 27 October
11:12 27 October
Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Leicester City and Nottingham Forest.
Aston Villa 1-1 Bournemouth: Emery calls draw 'painful'published at 19:02 26 October
19:02 26 October
Joe Rindl BBC Sport journalist
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For Aston Villa, this draw has to feel like a loss.
By the time Ross Barkley broke the deadlock after 76 minutes the home side could have been two or three goals up.
Once Villa did score, though, they sat back and played as if the game was already won.
And they were ultimately punished, dropping points for just the fourth time this season.
"At the last moment we didn't control the match" Aston Villa manager Unai Emery told BBC Match of the Day.
"Of course we deserved to win. It's painful but we have to accept it."
The Villains dropped their first points from a winning position at home this season and have now failed to win each of their past three league home games when scoring first.
Beforehand, they had won each of their previous 17 such matches.
'The changing room is disappointed'published at 18:45 26 October
18:45 26 October
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Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day following the draw: "The changing room is disappointed. A lot of frustrated faces because to concede a late goal like that, we work on that on the training ground. We will take lessons from that."
On John McGinn's ruled out goal: "These things can happen. It was a great finish, but it was unfortunate - millimetres really. We had plenty of chances to put them away, but it is what it is and we have to build on this.
"It hurts because of conceding a late goal. We want to keep clean sheets to keep fighting and achieve a successful season. We will work on it."
Aston Villa 1-1 Bournemouth: Key statpublished at 18:20 26 October
18:20 26 October
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There were seven yellow cards shown in the first half between Aston Villa and Bournemouth - no Premier League game has ever seen more in the first 45 minutes. Meanwhile, it is the first time this has happened more than once in a season, after Tottenham v Arsenal in September.
'At the last moment, we didn't control the match' - Emerypublished at 18:03 26 October
18:03 26 October
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day following the draw: "We played a fantastic match. Against this team, it was very difficult. We imposed our ideas, we created chances to scored in the first-half, we had one goal which was ruled out because the ball was out.
"We improved even in the second-half and, for 35 minutes, we played fantastically. We created chances, we stopped them and we scored the goal. But we knew before that how we needed to be always ready for everything, because they are a team who are always going forward when they get the ball.
"At the last moment, we didn't control the match. For the last 10 minutes, we didn't control it. Of course we deserved to win but we have to accept it. It is painful, but we have to accept it.
"We are being very demanding and we want to be in the top position in the league, but we have to accept that we are continuing. We are having a fantastic start in the league and Champions League and we are, of course, frustrated because we want to win."
On Villa's disallowed goal: "VAR is clear, of course. If VAR is telling us no goal, it is clear. For me, the referee was fantastic today. It was not a goal because it was out, through VAR."
Aston Villa 1-1 Bournemouth - send us your thoughtspublished at 17:07 26 October
Benteke delighted by Villa's successpublished at 12:02 26 October
12:02 26 October
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Ex-Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke is delighted with his former club's recent progress and to see Villa performing so well in the Champions League.
Unai Emery's side have won their first three matches on their return to Europe's premier club competition to top the 36-team table, while they are fourth in the Premier League after eight games.
Benteke scored 49 goals in 101 outings for Villa from 2012-2015.
The Belgium international, 33, later appeared for Liverpool and Crystal Palace in the Premier League and now plays in the United States for DC United.
Benteke described Villa as a "huge club" and said: "With Liverpool it is more expected, but Villa was my first team in England. The love is different.
"They haven't been in the Champions League for a while so to see them playing well at Villa Park on a Tuesday or Wednesday is something nice."
Sutton's predictions: Aston Villa v Bournemouth published at 11:02 26 October
11:02 26 October
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.
For week nine, he takes on rapper Nemzzz, who supports Manchester United.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
Again, the question is how will Villa cope with playing in the Champions League this week?
They played well when they beat Bologna on Tuesday, but the last time they had a big European win against Bayern Munich at the start of October, they were pretty flat the following weekend when they drew at home to Manchester United.
That's what worries me, especially against a Bournemouth side who will be flying off the back of beating Arsenal.
The Cherries scored their opener with a lovely set-piece routine and played really well throughout, including when it was 11 versus 11.
So Villa could probably do without this game - but I still think they will extend their 10-game unbeaten run, and maybe this is when they show us they have the required strength in depth.
They actually had quite a strong bench against Bologna and Ollie Watkins will be fresh after only coming on for the final half hour or so. I am going to say he will make the difference.
Emery on first two years, 'special' Villa Park and Bournemouthpublished at 15:38 25 October
15:38 25 October
Tasnim Chowdhury BBC Sport journalist
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Bournemouth at Villa Park (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Jaden Philogene will not be part of the squad as he is suspended. Lamare Bogarde and Sil Swinkels will be playing with the under-21s on Friday.
On his first two years at the club: "Hopefully we will improve more and more. It's been two years since I arrived here. We have been very demanding and we were always trying to be better in each moment we were working here. We achieved some objectives quickly, but there's still a lot of work to do. I am demanding with everybody, and of course we have to enjoy the way we are doing things."
He added: "We are looking forward to watching how we improve. I can feel comfort. I can feel confidence."
Emery said their home stadium is "special" to play at, adding: "We will need the supporters in Villa Park like they are usually and transmitting their energy."
On his reaction to John McGinn calling him one of the club's greatest managers: "I appreciate the words of the players. I don't like good words and I don't like bad words. I am always trying to be in balance. I am going to push him. I will want more from the players - from him as well. He's a very good man, a very good player - but he has to improve."
On Bournemouth: "[They are a] very demanding team, at home and away. They are playing always with the same style - pressing a lot, being competitive in duels. They are playing so active in everything."
'We can win in any stadium' - Torres on Villa's confidencepublished at 12:39 25 October
12:39 25 October
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Aston Villa centre-back Pau Torres says the squad feel "confident" they can "win in any stadium" this season, after starting the campaign in fine form in all competitions.
Unai Emery's side are fourth in the Premier League, having won five of their first eight games, with only one defeat. They are also unbeaten in the Champions League, sitting top of the table after seeing off Young Boys, Bayern Munich and Bologna.
"The team is working really well and always focused on each game," Torres told VillaTV, external. "It is difficult to stay fit and focus in games when you are playing three times a week, but we are doing really good work in our recovery sessions.
"We are confident we can win in any stadium and we feel comfortable at home. We are going to keep this goal in the future and hopefully it comes with the same results."
The Spain international reached 50 appearances for Aston Villa in the Champions League win over Bologna on Tuesday, and is already targeting another 50.
"It has gone very quickly," he said. "It has been just one year and a few months since I came here. I'm really happy with how it's going. I'm feeling comfortable with my team-mates as well.
"I just want to say thank you to the fans - they are always supporting the team and we can feel it on the pitch.
"Hopefully 50 more appearances are coming - then more and more [after that]."
Champions League looks easypublished at 09:14 24 October
09:14 24 October
Media caption,
Aston Villa are making easy work of the Champions League and Morgan Rogers looks right at home. Take a look at highlights of the win over Bologna and some analysis of his individual display.
Media caption,
Gossip: Villa try to fend off Zych interestpublished at 07:56 24 October
Arsenal and Barcelona are both firmly interested in 20-year-old Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, with the Gunners thought to be better placed to sign him. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Scotland midfielder McGinn said: "It's strange. It is a bit of a contrast to our league form. We have been letting in a lot of goals in the league and that is something which has annoyed us.
"But we are proud of where we are, top of the league table at the minute. It has put us in a great position to go and kick on.
"Our aim is obviously to qualify first and foremost for the next round, but if we can take it into the top eight and carry this on it would be brilliant."
Villa are yet to concede a goal in the Champions League after also beating Young Boys 3-0 and Bayern Munich 1-0.
They are due to travel to Club Bruges next month before hosting Juventus.
McGinn added: "We are excited. I think the manager is the only person who does not get excited. He just focuses his full energy all the time, like he says every single day he is that demanding on us.
"He does not let us take our foot off the gas so we can use energy and enthusiasm, and the excitement we have. His determination and intensity is unmatched.
"No matter what happens until now and whenever he leaves - we hope it's never - he will certainly go down as one of our club's greatest managers."
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