Bournemouth v Aston Villa Preview: In-Form Sides Meet for Place in Carabao Cup Quarter-Finals

Aston Villa travel to the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday 28th October to face Bournemouth in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, with both teams looking to build on impressive Premier League victories over the weekend.

Unai Emery’s side head to the south coast following a 2-1 victory over previously unbeaten Manchester City, while Bournemouth produced an outstanding performance to defeat Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Both clubs have enjoyed a significant improvement in form over recent weeks, setting up an intriguing all-Premier League encounter with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

Kick-off is scheduled for 7:45pm, with both managers facing important decisions regarding team selection amid demanding domestic and European schedules.

Aston Villa Looking to Extend Seven-Match Unbeaten Run

Aston Villa have recovered from a difficult start to the 2026/27 campaign, winning six of their previous seven matches across all competitions and drawing the other.

Their latest victory came against Premier League leaders Manchester City at Villa Park on Saturday, when Nicolas Jackson scored twice to hand Enzo Maresca’s side their first league defeat of the season.

Jackson opened the scoring after just six minutes before Erling Haaland equalised shortly after half-time. The Senegal international restored Villa’s advantage on the hour mark, securing three important points for Emery’s side.

The result followed an equally impressive spell in the UEFA Champions League, where Villa have won their opening three league phase fixtures, including a 6-0 victory over Fenerbahçe and a 3-1 success against Viking.

Villa also defeated Newcastle United 1-0 at St James’ Park earlier this month, demonstrating their improving ability to secure results both home and away.

Their Carabao Cup campaign began with a 3-1 victory away against Coventry City in the previous round, with Tammy Abraham scoring twice.

Emery will be hoping his players can maintain their momentum against Bournemouth, although Saturday’s Premier League encounter against Fulham and next week’s Champions League trip to Barcelona could influence his selection.

Bournemouth Arrive After Impressive Manchester United Victory

Bournemouth have also enjoyed an excellent run of results under Marco Rose, winning their previous four matches across all competitions.

The Cherries’ most recent success came at Old Trafford on Sunday, where goals from Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson secured a convincing 3-0 victory against Manchester United.

The visitors took control with two first-half goals before Evanilson completed the scoring after the interval, securing Bournemouth’s second successive Premier League victory.

Rose’s side have also impressed in European competition, recording 3-0 victories against Sturm Graz and AC Milan in the UEFA Europa League.

Those results represent an impressive response to their heavy 5-1 defeat against Chelsea earlier this month, with Bournemouth demonstrating considerable attacking improvement.

In the previous round of the Carabao Cup, Bournemouth defeated Lincoln City 4-0, with Ryan Christie producing an excellent individual performance to score a hat-trick.

The midfielder became the first Bournemouth player to score three goals in a League Cup fixture and could be handed another opportunity to impress against Villa.

With both teams entering the contest in excellent form, Wednesday’s meeting promises to provide a competitive test for both managers.

Bournemouth v Aston Villa Team News and Key Players

Both managers could make several changes to their starting line-ups as they attempt to balance their Carabao Cup ambitions with upcoming domestic and European commitments.

For Aston Villa, Nicolas Jackson has been one of the standout performers in recent weeks, particularly following his match-winning double against Manchester City.

However, Emery may decide to rest the forward, potentially offering Brian Madjo an opportunity to lead the attack.

Emiliano Buendía, Ross Barkley and Leon Goretzka are also among the players who could feature, with the latter looking to build his match fitness following an injury-disrupted start to his Villa career.

Villa could remain without Amadou Onana, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Matteo Ruggeri, while Ian Maatsen’s recent return to training offers Emery another defensive option.

Bournemouth are also expected to rotate their squad, with Ryan Christie, David Brooks, Ben Gannon-Doak and Álvaro Rodríguez among those pushing for starting opportunities.

Junior Kroupi returned from injury as a substitute against Manchester United but is unlikely to be rushed into a starting role.

Alex Scott, Alex Tóth and Julián Araujo are also expected to miss the fixture through injury.

Despite the anticipated changes, both teams possess considerable attacking options capable of influencing the outcome.

Bournemouth v Aston Villa Head-to-Head Record

Aston Villa have enjoyed the better of recent meetings between the clubs, remaining unbeaten in their previous seven matches against Bournemouth.

During that period, the Villans have recorded four victories and three draws, with Bournemouth’s most recent success coming in August 2022.

Wednesday’s fixture will also represent the first meeting between the clubs in the League Cup.

Their only previous domestic cup encounter came during the 2014/15 FA Cup, when Aston Villa secured a 2-1 victory in the fourth round.

Villa have also enjoyed a strong away record in this competition, winning 10 of their previous 15 League Cup matches on the road.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, have been eliminated in each of their previous four League Cup encounters against fellow Premier League opposition, a record Rose will be hoping to improve.

Can Aston Villa Continue Their Winning Momentum?

Aston Villa will enter Wednesday’s contest with confidence following their recent run of results, although Bournemouth’s impressive performances against Manchester United and AC Milan suggest the hosts will provide a difficult challenge.

For Emery, the Carabao Cup represents another opportunity to compete for silverware after the club’s UEFA Europa League triumph last season.

Villa have lifted the League Cup five times throughout their history, although their most recent success came in 1996, when they defeated Leeds United 3-0 at Wembley.

A victory on Wednesday would move them one step closer to another appearance at the national stadium, while strengthening the confidence of a squad already competing across several competitions.

However, Bournemouth will have ambitions of their own, particularly with home advantage and an improving squad beginning to produce consistent performances.

Following the cup tie, Aston Villa return to Villa Park on Saturday 31st October for an 8pm Premier League encounter against Fulham, before travelling to face Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday 3rd November.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, welcome Leeds United to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

With both teams enjoying excellent form and a quarter-final place available, Wednesday’s encounter is an important opportunity for either side to continue their progress in the Carabao Cup.