Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has elected not to start Christian Atsu in the team's season opener due to injury.

The Ghanaian will not be risked as the Cherries play Aston Villa, who have Jordan Ayew in their starting lineup.

This will be among the first games of the season with heavy Ghanaian interest as the Premier League begins on Saturday.

Jeffery Schlupp also starts for Leicester against Sunderland. 

Tough talk

It’s a big day for Bournemouth. The sleepy south-coast town is perhaps better known for its Victorian architecture and its symphony orchestra, but today its football team is playing its first top-flight match for 116 years.

Bournemouth have never before competed in England’s top league. They play Aston Villa, on the up under Tim Sherwood after some nervy flirtation with relegation under Paul Lambert, and Jordan Ayew, their big signing from Lorient, will be part of the charge for a revival.

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