Aston Villa's relegation to the Championship could be sealed this weekend.

Managerless Villa are currently on a run of seven successive losses, the most recent defeat being a 4-0 loss to Chelsea. Should Norwich better Villa's result, then the Birmingham side's relegation will be confirmed.

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Eddie Howe's side are 11 points clear of the relegation zone and are close to securing safety, but need one more win to take them past the 40-point mark. 

Team news

Gabriel Agbonlahor will remain out as Aston Villa attempt to preserve their Barclays Premier League status for a little longer.

Agbonlahor was set to be available for the Bournemouth game after missing the Chelsea defeat as punishment for his conduct during a recent trip to Dubai, but the forward now has a virus.

Libor Kozak is back in contention after more than two months out with a fractured ankle while Ciaran Clark, Adama Traore (foot) and Jack Grealish (ankle) are also fit for Villa, who must match Norwich's result at Crystal Palace to earn a stay of execution.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe may be without Adam Smith when they travel to Villa.

The defender is suffering from a hernia which he has been carrying for a number of weeks but Howe is hopeful he may be able to feature.

Joshua King is back to full fitness after he was substituted last weekend at half-time due to illness and Harry Arter (Achilles/calf), Benik Afobe and Junior Stanislas (both hamstring) are improving but unavailable.

Opta stats

Aston Villa have lost just one of their previous six meetings with Bournemouth in all competitions (W4 D1 L1).

Bournemouth have visited Villa Park three times in all competitions, drawing once and losing twice; including in the 4th round of the FA Cup in 2015.

The Cherries haven't lost successive away games in the Premier League since November 1st 2015 (W4 D4 L2 since then).

Villa have lost each of their last seven league games; only once before have suffered more consecutive defeats in the league, in 1963 when they lost 11 in a row.

Bournemouth have netted a joint-league-high eight goals in the first 15 minutes of their games (level with Man City and Stoke) while Villa have bagged a joint-league-low one goal in the same period (level with Norwich).

Current Villa caretaker boss Eric Black has lost all three Premier League games when in charge, one with Birmingham City in November 2007, one with Sunderland in December 2011 and last time out with the Villans.

No team has a lower top-scorer in the Premier League this season than both Villa (Ayew, Gestede - 5 each) and Bournemouth (Wilson - 5).

Cherries' boss Eddie Howe has used 16 English players in the Premier League this season, three more than any other side.

Merson's predictions

Aston Villa can get relegated this weekend, and I just can't see them winning. Last week, Chelsea were the better team, but there's a way of losing and there's just no fight there. It was just poor.

Since Bournemouth have climbed away from the relegation zone they've been poor. They could have been battered over the last two games, but I think they will pass Aston Villa to death on Saturday.

PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)

Betting

Bournemouth are 11/10 with Sky Bet to inflict another dagger blow to Aston Villa's Premier League survival hopes with the hosts 5/2 and the draw trading at 12/5. Villa landed the spoils at the Vitality Stadium Dean Court on the opening day of the season but now look certainties to face the drop, while the Cherries are 20/1 to secure a top half finish in their first season in the top flight. Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier is backing a 2-2 draw at odds of 14/1, while we are Price Boosting Charlie Nicholas' tip of Benik Afobe to score first to 6/1. See all their selections and match odds here.

Aston Villa v Bournemouth is included in this week's Super 6. Make your predictions here for the chance to win £250,000.