Iraola on facing Villa, playing two strikers and Kelly's future

Andoni Iraola has been speaking to BBC Radio Solent before Bournemouth travel to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

  • Iraola is "hoping" Bournemouth can recover Antoine Semenyo for the weekend's match, but confirmed that Luis Sinisterra will miss out through injury so the team will be "quite similar" to their previous game.

  • On playing Aston Villa: "You have to play really, really well - probably the same way we did against Manchester United. We need to be more clinical in front of goal, take chances because they have top level up front. Even if they are not playing at their best they find ways to get the results and especially at their stadium it is going to be even more difficult because they are having a great season there."

  • He added: "They are really calm and composed. Even against Lille they were heading out but they carried on playing the same way, didn't rush anything and found a way to win. You have to keep pushing every minute because the moment they feel your weaknesses, and with the players they have on the day, it makes the difference."

  • On deciding whether to start Enes Unal and Dominic Solanke together: "Enes is playing very well from the bench. He hasn't started any game. We never want to lose Dom and he is in such good form we want to find ways they can compliment each other. It is something we have in our mind yes."

  • He said it is "not easy" for Philip Billing to playing less minutes, but added: "It is difficult in these positions. It is a position I feel like is loaded and is difficult for me to give minutes to everyone."

  • On Lloyd Kelly's future: "No I don't have any more [information]. It is more difficult every week that goes. We have to wait and we still have our hopes. I see him performing really well. The other week he came on first half without warming up and did really well. His performances have been good."

  • He said Tyler Adams is still "not feeling 100%" and added: "Not a bad injury and feeling pain in his muscle, but after so much time out we have to be careful with these decisions. The medical department are dealing with it. I hope he will be back early but definitely not for Villa."

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[BBC]

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