Bournemouth was beaten 3-1 at Manchester City last time out, but still sits fifth on the table, only one point off second place.

Villa, meanwhile, is 11th, having won four successive matches before losing 2-0 to Liverpool at Anfield last week.

Unai Emery's side then got back to winning ways in the UEFA Europa League on Friday (AEDT), beating Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-0, but his focus is now fully on the Cherries challenge.

"They are performing fantastically. The work he [Andoni Iraola] is doing, all the professionals there with the head coach, it's really fantastic," Emery said.

"He is always even selling players, he's building a very competitive team, competing for the top positions, European positions, and this year, they have 18 points, three more than us.

"Tactically, they are very good at everything. They are defending aggressively, they are winning duels, they are attacking in transition, but they are getting good combinations with their players and being very offensive with all the players they have."

Bournemouth saw midfielder Alex Scott called up to Thomas Tuchel's England squad this week, and Iraola believes his inclusion reflects well on everyone at the club.

"I am pleased for him. I think he has been playing very well and, also, I suppose the good performance with the [England] Under-21 in the summer [at UEFA U21 Euros] has also been very valuable," Iraola said.

"I am very happy for him and happy for the club because in an English club, to have someone representing your country I think is good. Especially for him but also for the club."