Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has labelled Unai Emery ‘one of the best coaches’ in football ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash at the Vitality Stadium.
For the second time this week, the Aston Villa boss has been hailed to the hilt by the man set to go head-to-head with him in the opposition dugout.
Before Thursday’s 2-1 Europe Conference League victory – Moussa Diaby and Alex Moreno firing Villa to victory – the remarkable job Unai Emery has done in the Midlands was highlighted and poured over by the Legia Warsaw boss.
Andoni Iraola, meanwhile, is similarly effusive about a man who has guided Aston Villa to 13 consecutive home wins in the Premier League.
Bournemouth host Aston Villa on Sunday
“For me, Unai is one of the best coaches,” says Iraola who, like the former Sevilla and Valencia boss, made his name in La Liga (Bournemouth website).
“He’s been very successful in various teams. Different experiences, different environments, different countries. And this is why he’s having the results at Villa.
“Their stats are amazing. They are fighting almost for everything. They’re in fourth, and two points from the top of the league.”
Aston Villa’s home form has understandably grabbed the attention. But, last time out, they defeated early-season pacesetters Tottenham Hotspur on their North London own turf. Another Ollie Watkins finish sealed a real statement win. And, thus, lifted Emery’s side into the Champions League places for the first time since 2009.
A spot they will have little appetite to lose on the South Coast.
Andoni Iraola is a big Unai Emery fan
“They are a very efficient team,” Iraola adds. “Everyone knows what he has to do. They are very dangerous in transition. (They have) very dangerous players up-front. And they are all very committed to what they are doing.”
Bournemouth are enjoying a spate of good form themselves at present. After a dreadful start, Iraola’s side have picked up three wins from their last four games, climbing out of the relegation zone as a result.
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