Bournemouth 2-0 Aston Villa: Jefferson Lerma and Kieffer Moore give the Cherries an excellent start to life back in the Premier League - as Steven Gerrard's visitors struggle on the south coast

  • Bournemouth started their Premier League season with an impressive 2-0 win
  • Jefferson Lerma opened the scoring for the Cherries in just the second minute
  • Kieffer Moore bagged his first ever Premier League goal after 80 minutes
  • Aston Villa were lethargic in possession and struggled to find Philippe Coutinho
  • Bournemouth's back three were excellent in keeping Villa at bay

Help fire Wales to their first World Cup in 64 years: tick. Get engaged to your long-term partner: tick. Score your first Premier League goal: tick.

It’s been a fairytale summer for Kieffer Moore, who completed a remarkable personal rise to earn Bournemouth a dream start to life back in the big time.

Ten years ago this week, the mountainous striker had to book Saturdays off his job as a lifeguard to play for Truro City in England’s sixth tier.

Jefferson Lerma scored the first goal of the game in Bournemouth's clash with Aston Villa

Jefferson Lerma scored the first goal of the game in Bournemouth's clash with Aston Villa

Keiffer Moore sealed the win with  a goal after 80 minutes to take the score to 2-0

Keiffer Moore sealed the win with  a goal after 80 minutes to take the score to 2-0

Aston Villa's creative players struggled to trouble Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium

Aston Villa's creative players struggled to trouble Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium

It’s quite fitting, then, that boss Scott Parker’s message to players was to not sink under the pressure and to take this chance of playing in the world’s best division.


Moore’s cushioned header came nearly 80 minutes after Jefferson Lerma had given Bournemouth the lead, as the Cherries recorded a shock win over big-spending Aston Villa.

Parker had voiced his frustrations at just three summer signings and £10million spent this summer before the match. ‘We’re way short of where we need to be,’ he said last week.

Dominic Solanke looked a much improved player after his impressive 2021-22 season

Dominic Solanke looked a much improved player after his impressive 2021-22 season

Mark Travers had little to do behind the Cherries' impressive back three

Mark Travers had little to do behind the Cherries' impressive back three

MATCH FACTS 

BOURNEMOUTH (3-4-1-2): Travers 7; Lerma 8, Mepham 7, Kelly 7.5; Smith 7, Billing 6.5, Pearson 7 (Cook 72min), Zemura 7; Tavernier 7.5 (Christie 85); Solanke 7 (Stanislas 90), Moore 7.5.

Subs (not used): Dennis, Marcondes, Stacey, Dembele, Hill, Anthony.

Booked: Smith, Pearson, Billing. 

ASTON VILLA (4-3-3): Martinez 7; Cash 5, Konsa 5, Carlos 6, Digne 6; McGinn 6, Ramsey 6 (Buendia 46, 6), Kamara 6 (Luiz 83); Bailey 5, Ings 6 (Watkins 65, 6), Coutinho 5 (Archer 82). 

Subs (not used): Olsen, Mings, Chambers, Augustinsson, Young.

Booked: Ings, Ramsey. 

Referee: P Bankes (Merseyside) 6.5.

Advertisement

And though this was a perfect start, in a perfectly-balanced performance, he is still realistic.

‘We need to make the squad deeper if we are to fight,’ he said. ‘We’re going into the hardest and most-financed league in the world so we know the challenge.

‘It’s been a long, hard road to get to this point and we needed to make sure we didn’t let that slip away. This is a young side, with little Premier League experience, so the constant message is for the players to take this chance and not let it sink us.’

It’s no surprise to see a newly-promoted club start quickly but still, Bournemouth’s fast-and-furious early approach seemed to stun the home crowd - and Villa’s defenders.

Emiliano Martinez made a smart stop to deny Solanke but conceded two goals

Emiliano Martinez made a smart stop to deny Solanke but conceded two goals

Bournemouth seemed to be first to every loose ball, including one after a corner that saw Lerma fire home with just one minute and 52 seconds on the clock.

The Vitality Stadium is by far the smallest in the division but, as many big clubs will recall from their last stint in the Premier League, it is a raucous little ground and tricky to visit.

‘I want us to be horrible to play against and I want every team to come here and really work for any points,’ added Parker.

His side continued to threaten and Solanke came close but it was their defensive resilience which was noticeable.

Emi Buendia looked bright off the bench but struggled to make a real impact for Aston Villa

Emi Buendia looked bright off the bench but struggled to make a real impact for Aston Villa

With just three centre-halves at the club after eight first-team players left this summer - including experienced Gary Cahill - Lerma had to slot into a back three.

He was outstanding, as was Lloyd Kelly, in keeping Danny Ings - and later substitute Ollie Watkins - quiet.

Philippe Coutinho started on the left but Steven Gerrard moved him central in the second half to impact the game. It didn’t work, with the Brazilian ineffective.

Leon Bailey, owned by one in five fantasy football managers, and Emi Buendia both also failed to have any impact.

Asked if he leaves with more questions than answers, Gerrard replied, ‘100 per cent, yes, it’s a good question. We had a lot of possession and control but suffered from a lack of quality.’

Bournemouth's excellent defence  largely kept Villa's forward Danny Ings out of the game

Bournemouth's excellent defence  largely kept Villa's forward Danny Ings out of the game

Boubacar Kamara was another brought in for big money and his most noticeable moments were when he barked in anger at team-mates for a lack of movement off the ball.

Villa were lethargic and did not have a chance of note. ‘We never had enough shots, we didn’t cross it well enough or show invention,’ added Gerrard.

That was partly down to Bournemouth’s clever defending. The Cherries sat back and looked well drilled, then counter-attacked with pace in new signing Marcus Tavernier.

Just as one wondered if they were dropping too deep and thus inviting pressure, they doubled their advantage after Kelly floated a cross in the air for Moore.

Time seemed to stand still as Torquay-born Welsh international hung in the air and simply diverted the header past Emi Martinez.

Parker might wish time could stand still some more. A win and clean sheet to start the season is perfect - but he knows Premier League survival is a long and arduous journey.

Steven Gerrard's side looked lethargic on the ball in their first game of the season

Steven Gerrard's side looked lethargic on the ball in their first game of the season 

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.