Neither side has been able to break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes of the Premier League clash between Bournemouth and Aston Villa.

Bournemouth had the first opening of the game when Matt Ritchie was afforded space and time outside the box, but he drilled his strike wide of the post.

Villa pressed back at the home side as Jordan Veretout played a through-ball into the path of Idrissa Gueye, and the midfielder drove towards the box and fired an effort at goal, but his strike sailed over the bar.

The Cherries began to dominate possession and Andrew Surman went close with a left-footed strike from distance, although his effort flew past the post of Brad Guzan.

Bournemouth pressed forward just before the break and Callum Wilson had two chances to break the deadlock, but he scuffed the first effort, while his second was well saved by Guzan low to his left.

Guzan made another fine stop to keep the home side at bay just before half time as he managed to turn away Marc Pugh's powerful strike at goal to keep the scores level.