Rudy Gestede's Aston Villa winner spoils Bournemouth's opening day

Aston Villa denied Bournemouth a winning start to life in the Premier League with a hard-fought victory at Dean Court thanks to Rudy Gestede’s second-half debut goal.

The substitute was introduced on the hour mark and provided the game’s vital contribution in the 72nd minute, thumping a free header beyond the despairing Artur Boruc to give Tim Sherwood’s side the three points on a sun-drenched summer afternoon on the south coast.

The promoted side were the better team in the first half, keeping the ball well and passing it around with purpose, while Aston Villa looked directionless in attack. The Cherries had the better of the goalscoring opportunities in a quiet opening period, with Dan Gosling, Callum Wilson and Marc Pugh coming close.

Villa began the second 45 with more purpose, immediately creating an opportunity for new signing Idrissa Gueye who brought a sprawling save from Artur Boruc. Bournemouth eventually ran out of gas in the second period, and were made to rue the missed opportunities at the close of the first half.

37’ - GOSLING CHANCE! Some neat interplay outside the box is half cleared by Micah Richards, but his toe-poke clear falls to Dan Gosling who fires a right-footed effort from 18 yards out high over the bar. Let off for Villa as Bournemouth begin to dictate play.

41’ - WILSON CHANCE! Callum Wilson is played through on goal and his low effort is a bit too close to Guzan, easily saved in the end. Promising signs at the end of this first half for Bornemouth.

45+2’ - GUZAN SAVE! Great reflexes from Brad Guzan who punches away Marc Pugh's driven effort at goal. Straight at the American in fairness.

48’ - BORUC SAVE! Boruc is called into action early in the second half with a fine stop from a Gueye effort that went low down to the goalkeeper's left. The debutant was well-found by Agbonlahor who made an enticing break behind the defence.

72’ - GESTEDE GOAL! Rudy Gestede powers Aston Villa into the lead with a towering header. Westwood's corner is met by the new signing who uses every sinew in his neck muscles to guide the ball into the back of the net. What a run and what a header.

Bournemouth became the 65th team in history to play in the top flight of English football.

Rudy Gestede is only the second player from Benin to score a Premier League goal after Stephane Sessegnon.

Rudy Gestede has to start for Aston Villa. A half-an-hour cameo from the new signing was enough to suggest that much of Villa’s fortunes this season will rest on how effectively Tim Sherwood can integrate the battering ram of a centre-forward into his side. With a brutal header to win the game, the former Blackburn striker could prove a more than useful replacement for Christian Benteke.

Rudy Gestede (Aston Villa): A mightily impressive half-hour cameo from Aston Villa’s match winner, who gave his side an attacking focal point they had sorely lacked in the opening hour of the game.

Bournemouth: Boruc 6, Francis 6, Elphick 6, Cook 6, Daniels 6, Ritchie 7, Gosling 7, Surman 7, Pugh 7, King 6, Wilson 6. Subs: Kermorgant 5, Gradel 6, O’Kane 5.

Aston Villa: Guzan 7, Bacuna 6, Richards 7, Clark 6, Amavi 7, Veretout 5, Gueye 6, Westwood 6, Ayew 5, Agbonlahor 6, Sinclair 5. Subs: Gestede 8, Sanchez 7, Richardson 6.