CHERRIES boss Andoni Iraola believes his and Unai Emery’s tactical plans have not changed much over the years ahead of the Basque’s pair’s fourth meeting as managers this weekend.

AFC Bournemouth visit Villa Park to face the Villans for the second time this campaign, having drawn the reverse fixture 2-2 at Vitality Stadium in December.

Iraola is yet to get the upper hand over his compatriot in three previous meetings, losing twice as Rayo Vallecano boss to Emery’s Villarreal in the 2021/22 season.

That included a heavy home defeat, Rayo losing 5-1 to the Yellow Submarine.

Emery left Villarreal during the 2022/23 season before the two teams met again, steering Villa away from the danger of relegation and into the UEFA Europa Conference League.

On Thursday night, the Basque boss reached his seventh European semi-final as a manager, having previously lifted the UEFA Europa League on four occasions, including with Villarreal.

He also reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in the 2021/22 season with the heavily unfancied Spanish outfit, with former Cherry Arnaut Danjuma leading the line.

Asked how much he could take from his previous meetings with Emery, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “I think it is different teams, but tactically, system wise, we haven't changed a lot.

“They haven't changed a lot. We haven't changed a lot.

“They also know how we are going to go and they will be ready for sure.

“And there are little adjustments because players are different.

“But yes, we can use some references, especially the game we played in the first half (of the season) against them because most of the of the names will be the same.”

Cherries head into Sunday’s game on 42 points from 32 games, leaving them 13th in the Premier League table.