ANDONI Iraola dismissed suggestions Cherries can look to Aston Villa as a club to try and replicate in their quest to improve, insisting: “They are in another level.”

Cherries head to Villa Park this weekend, with Unai Emery having lifted the Villans up from battling relegation last season to sitting in the top four now and into the Europa Conference League semi-finals.

Asked if Cherries can aspire to what Villa have achieved this season, Iraola said: “They are very far. They are in another level I would say.

“It's not that they are in Europe. They are in European semi-finals right now.

“They are fighting to qualify for the Champions League.

“Their season, has been, for me, amazing.

“They have a very good team, a manager that I rate very highly.

“And it's going to be a difficult, very difficult game for us because they are, especially at home, they are really, really strong.

“And we will have to be at our best if we want to have any chance.”

Quizzed on if he feels Villa are a good example to look at given Bill Foley’s European ambitions for Cherries, Iraola added: “No, I think I don't agree.

“I don't think they are similar scenarios. They've improved a lot with Unai, especially straightaway since he came in mid-season and this season they have been really good.

“But we are now in another scenario, I would say.”

Cherries last played on Saturday, drawing 2-2 with Manchester United, while Villa have played twice since. They won 2-0 at Arsenal on Sunday, before defeating Lille on penalties after 120 minutes in France.

Asked if fatigue could play a part and benefit Cherries, Iraola said: “I think they've been dealing quite well with it during the season they've been playing in Europe.

“You see the next games when they play Thursday, normally they are playing well.

“They have been getting the results.

“So I think it's a squad that is used to making effort every three or four days.

"Probably they will be in a good mood also because for sure it was important for them.

“And also knowing the results of the English clubs this week, probably they need a win because they will be fighting with Spurs for this last spot for the Champions League, so I'm sure it's going to be an important game for them."