**Bournemouth marked their return to the Premier League with a confident opening-weekend victory over Aston Villa at the Vitality Stadium.**

The Cherries took the lead on three minutes - with Villa temporarily down to 10 men as left-back Lucas Digne was off the pitch to remove jewellery. Debutant Marcus Tavernier’s corner was headed down by Lloyd Kelly for Jefferson Lerma to fire home.

They should have taken a two-goal lead into the interval but Kieffer Moore was unable to meet a low ball into the box from Adam Smith, who had been played through by the excellent Dominic Solanke.

Wales international Moore, who at the age of 29 was making his debut in the top flight, eventually doubled the home side’s lead with a commanding header on 80 minutes after Kelly played a dangerous cross back into Villa’s area.

Prior to that, Danny Ings had a shot saved by Cherries keeper Mark Travers and new Villa captain John McGinn saw a long-range drive go high and wide, but it was debutant Boubacar Kamara who had gone closest to an equaliser for the visitors.

The French midfielder - a free transfer from Marseille - found himself in space and unleashed a right-footed effort from 30 yards that just went wide.

Championship runners-up Bournemouth visit defending Premier League champions Manchester City next, while Villa welcome Everton.

Cherries delight, Villa disappointed

Bournemouth are likely to face a tough task to avoid relegation in their first season back in the Premier League but for now, at least, boss Scott Parker can be pleased with the spirit shown by his team in front of their home supporters.

After signing a four-year extension to stay until the summer of 2026, Solanke offered the same physical presence up front that saw him contribute 29 goals to the Cherries’ promotion campaign last season.

A promising debut by new recruit Tavernier should also satisfy Parker. He had described the former Middlesbrough midfielder as “a big signing” after recruiting him for a fee reported to be about £10m, and Tavernier was an attacking threat in support of Solanke and former non-league striker Moore.

Conversely, there was little to impress Villa manager Steven Gerrard.

They were sluggish from the off and playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who made his loan move from Barcelona permanent in May, was among those who were largely anonymous.

The chances for Kamara and Ings gave the travelling supporters minor moments of excitement, but Gerrard will be hoping this is just a bump in the road and not a continuation of their poor run at the end of last season, which finished with only two wins from 11 games.

This is the first full season Steven Gerrard gets to stamp his authority on Aston Villa, following his appointment as head coach in November 2021.

Villa picked up three wins and scored nine goals in Gerrard’s opening games in charge, but an inconsistent run of just two victories in 11 matches at the end of season left him calling for his side to be more ruthless and clinical.

Unfortunately, his words do not seem to have sunk in with his squad just yet.

Villa looked off the pace from the opening exchanges as Bournemouth were sharper to the ball and threatening in attack. A spell of good pressure towards the end of the first half was encouraging, and French midfielder Boubacar Kamara showed his potential on his debut. But over the course of 90 minutes, the travelling supporters were far from entertained.

One of Gerrard’s concern will be the performance of playmaker Philippe Coutinho. The midfielder was a hit at Villa Park during his loan spell last season and now that his move from Barcelona has been made permanent, the Villa boss needs the 30-year-old to prove that the £17m transfer fee was worth the money. The Brazilian’s showing at the Vitality Stadium, however, will not be added to his showreel.