ANDONI Iraola believes he will be facing “one of the best coaches in the world” when Unai Emery comes to town this weekend.

Emery brings his in-form Aston Villa side to Vitality Stadium on Sunday (2pm).

The two Basque bosses have been in opposite dugouts twice before, Emery recording two wins over Iraola’s Rayo Vallecano, with Villarreal.

Discussing former Arsenal and PSG boss Emery, Iraola said: “For me, Unai is one of the best coaches in the world.

“He has been really successful in different teams, different environments, different countries. That’s the reason why he has having these results at Villa.

“He prepares the games very well. We have to be ready for every single small detail, every throw-in. Otherwise it is going to be tough, because his teams are always prepared.

“I think he has been very good in a lot of different teams, that gives even more value, in different divisions with promotions. It is not like he has been lucky once.

“It’s not going to be easy on Sunday, for sure. I know that they will be well prepared.

“But I think if we give our best level also, we can give them a tough game, because right now we have good threats up front and the team is playing well.

“If we push, we can make their game uncomfortable.”

Emery, a three-time Europa League winner with Sevilla, guided Villa into the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League this week.

Assessing the challenge posed by the Midlands outfit, Iraola said: “They are fighting for almost everything, I would say.

“They are fourth in the league, two points from the top.

“They are a very efficient team. Everyone knows what he has to do.

“They are very dangerous in transitions. They have very dangerous players up front and they are really committed to what they are doing.

“We have to take care of transitions and set-pieces they are very good, especially offensively. We will have duels that are not going to be easy, for sure, because they are a top level team.

“But I think we are also in a good moment. We have to try to give our best. If we give our best, we are also uncomfortable for them.”

Since joining Aston Villa in November 2022, Emery has overseen 30 wins from 48 matches, lifting the club from battling relegation into the European places.

He recorded a 3-0 win over Gary O’Neil’s Cherries at Villa Park, the last time the two sides met, in March.

Cherries will be without Alex Scott, Tyler Adams, Max Aarons, Lloyd Kelly and Ryan Fredericks due to injury this weekend.

Villa are sweating on the fitness of star striker Ollie Watkins, who missed Thursday’s win over Legia Warsaw.