Bournemouth head to Birmingham this afternoon to take on Unai Emery’s side, with Andoni Iraola yet to taste victory over Villa while boss in Dorset.
He said in his press conference that games against Villa have been ‘very level’, but that Sunday’s hosts have just had the edge at times to win two and draw two of the four games between Iraola’s Cherries and Emery’s Villans.
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Cook agreed, but said the Cherries have to appreciate the tough task that faces them.
“I think obviously we've shown that we've definitely got the players to get the points there, but I think you've got to respect them in what they are and the manager they've got,” he told the Daily Echo.
Andoni Iraola and Lewis Cook. (Image: Richard Crease)
“They've created a really good squad and a really good team, whoever plays.
“So we know the problems they're going to cause and we've just got to make sure that we nullify that and just be the best version of ourselves to get the points.”
Cook was something of a mainstay in Iraola’s side last term, featuring in all-but two games in the league.
But his preparation for the season was disrupted by injury in preseason, and since his return from injury, he has made four appearances off the bench.
He operated both in central midfield and at right back last season, so, asked if he has been adapting his game to become a more versatile option for Iraola, Cook admitted he hadn’t been – but he’s ready to play wherever he is needed.
“I think obviously we've got the squad we've got now, we've got a lot of great right backs that can play there and whoever's there is going to give a great account of themselves,” he said.
“So if it's me coming on off the bench or whatever, you got to be ready to help the team in whatever position, to be honest.”