CHERRIES boss Andoni Iraola felt that Aston Villa’s style of play negated any potential tiredness despite playing 120 minutes three days before beating AFC Bournemouth 3-1.

Last Thursday Villa reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League after defeating Lille on penalties in France.

Unai Emery’s charges had forced extra time with a late equaliser, but despite having played two hours of football Villa had no issues in defeating Cherries at Villa Park on Sunday.

Iraola told the Daily Echo: “I knew that the physical thing was not going to be key because they it's very difficult to open the games against Villa because they keep the game very well under control.

“With the keeper, with Pau (Torres), with (Ezri) Konsa, they have very good structure.

“When they want, they can stop a little bit the game.

“They have confidence in their build up.

“So you could see against Lille, they play extra time, nobody with cramps, nobody really asking for a change.

“If you see the Manchester City game, for example, there’s seven, eight players asking for change.

“Normally they keep it more controlled and they do it really well.”