LONDON — Bournemouth's first ever top-flight fixture will be at its humble south coast seaside home when it hosts former European champion Aston Villa in the Premier League on the weekend of Aug. 8-9. The Cherries, close to liquidation in 2008, follow up their opener with a trip to Liverpool a week later, according to the 2015-16 fixtures released Wednesday. Champion Chelsea begins the defense of its title at home to Swansea City, while runner-up Manchester City kicks off at West Bromwich Albion. With 12 wins from its last 13 opening-day fixtures Chelsea boasts the best record in the league. The first big clash between those clubs expected to fight for the title sees Chelsea visit Manchester City on the second weekend of the new season. Arsenal, which finished third last season, hosts Slaven Bilic's West Ham United in an all-London opener, as Manchester United, whose opening to the season will be complicated by a Champions League playoff tie, takes on Tottenham Hotspur at home. Liverpool has an immediate opportunity to avenge a 6-1 loss to Stoke City on the final day of last season with a return to the Britannia Stadium on the opening weekend. Bournemouth will provide the novelty factor though after it was promoted as Championship title winner under up-and-coming young manager Eddie Howe. Its fans will already be penciling in a home date against Manchester United, which it famously beat as a third-tier side in 1984, although it will have to wait until the second half of the season to welcome Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea to the 12,000-capacity Goldsands Stadium. Other key fixtures include the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Oct. 24, Chelsea hosting Arsenal on the weekend of Sept. 19 and a heavyweight festive meeting between Manchester United and Chelsea on Dec. 28. The Premier League season starts a week earlier than last season because of the Euro 2016 Championship next June. — Reuters
