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Andoni Iraola talks to Sky, and begins with the latest on the injured Dango Ouattara. “He felt a small injury in the adductor … it is not too big but we are talking a couple of weeks from the end of the season so it it going to be difficult for him to play again … let’s hope the ones starting today have good performances … he was in a great moment … playing very well … gives us a lot of energy … but it happens to all the teams … if you were to ask Unai about Tielemans he will say the same … so we have to adapt … it is about using the players we have available … I am confident and I trust the players … it is always difficult when you face Aston Villa … always well organised … they will put you in trouble … physical … but we are also in a good moment … we are two teams finishing the season strongly.”
A charmingly expressive Unai Emery speaks to Sky Sports. “Good afternoon … [raises voice disconcertingly] Europe! Europe!! EUROPE!!! … [back to normal levels] it is very important to be in Europe … Champions League is not in our hands … but if we win today maybe we can have more chances to be there … we are going to fight for everything … we have enough players ready to play … OK, there is no Rashford, but it is time for Watkins! … there is no Tielemans but there is time for Barkley! … for Onana! … for Kamara! … we have enough players to suit and to play with our identity.”
Meme potential of that “Europe!” triple yell: 9.5/10.
The 3pms have all finished, and it’s not the best news for Bournemouth. Big wins for Brentford (1-0 at Ipswich) and Brighton (2-0 at Wolves) mean the Cherries have been nudged down to tenth spot. It could have been worse, had Fulham not lost 3-1 at home to Everton. Bournemouth can reclaim eighth place by winning this evening.
The one other result this afternoon brings hope for Aston Villa, though. If we accept Arsenal are pretty much good for a Champions League spot, the remaining battle is between five teams for three remaining places … and Manchester City’s surprise failure to beat Southampton – it ended goalless at St Mary’s – raises the possibility of this particular race concertinaing up excitingly ahead of the final two matches. Villa will insert themselves snugly if they claim all three points tonight.
Bournemouth make three changes to the team that started the 2-1 win at Arsenal this time last weekend. Antoine Semenyo, Alex Scott and captain Adam Smith return to the starting line-up; Julián Araujo and Justin Kluivert drop to the bench, while Dango Ouattara is injured.
Aston Villa make four changes after their 1-0 victory over Fulham last Saturday. Tyrone Mings, Jacob Ramsey, Lucas Digne and Amadou Onana are back; Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen and captain John McGinn drop to the bench, while last weekend’s goalscoring hero Youri Tielemans is out for the season.
The teams
Bournemouth: Arrizabalaga, Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez, Adams, Cook, Semenyo, Scott, Tavernier, Evanilson.
Subs: Dennis, Senesi, Brooks, Kluivert, Soler, Jebbison, Araujo, Hill, Winterburn.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Onana, Rogers, Asensio, Ramsey, Watkins.
Subs: Olsen, Disasi, Barkley, McGinn, Torres, Garcia, Malen, Maatsen, Bailey.
Referee: Stuart Attwell.
VAR: Chris Kavanagh.
Preamble
This week we’ve seen the joy† that European competition can bring. So you can bet your bottom dollar that both of these clubs will fancy a slice of that sweet Uefa pie next season. As things stood at the start of the day – and we’ll re-evaluate when the 3pms have finished – Aston Villa are good for the Conference League, while eighth-placed Bournemouth are out of the qualification spots. But Villa are still within striking distance of a place in the Champions League next season, while eighth could be good enough for the Cherries providing Manchester City win the FA Cup and Newcastle remain in the top six. So it’s all to play for this evening at Dean Court. Kick-off is at 5.30pm BST. It’s on!
† Well, that and the gut-wrenching misery, but Arsenal have had it rough of late so let’s leave them to lick their wounds in peace.
