ANDONI Iraola credited his side’s defensive efforts in Cherries’ 2-2 draw at home to Aston Villa, even though it did not convert into three points.

Cherries took an aggressive approaching to marking Villa’s threats during Sunday’s encounter, with Adam Smith specifically tasked with tracking John McGinn in the first period, before being assigned to deal with substitute Jacob Ramsey in the second period.

Iraola explained that this was to deal with Unai Emery’s set up, avoiding the possibility of being ‘disordered’ by the Villans.

He told the Daily Echo: “I think Unai (Emery’s) teams are always like this, they try to disorder you. “One of the wingers always comes inside.

“Normally (John) McGinn comes very inside. He leaves a lot of space, for (Ollie) Watkins, that is always a threat.

“But I think we covered with Adam (Smith) really aggressive.

“Tav (Marcus Tavernier) was doing a very good job against (Lucas) Digne also, because the space that Adam left when he jumped between Zaba (Illia Zabarnyi) and Tav, I think they were covering really well.

“Overall I think we defended well. But even defending well, you concede two goals against Villa because they are so clinical.”

Cherries are back in action on Wednesday, when they visit Crystal Palace (7.30pm).