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THE Aston Villa defeat was ‘difficult to take’ but the Cherries are ready for a ‘tough’ test at Manchester City, Tyler Adams said.
The American has been a mainstay of the Bournemouth midfield in recent weeks, and looks set to play a key role in the side’s final two games of the season at City and at home against Leicester.
Reflecting on the narrow 1-0 defeat to Villa, Adams said: “We had a game plan that we probably could have executed a little bit better against Aston Villa, but at the end of the day, they're also a top team and you have to give respect where respect is due.
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“So I think there was opportunities for us to take, probably chances better, create more chances, be more dominant.
“But I think we played into Villa's hands, so disappointing because we know how pivotal that game could be. But then again, a lot of games have been pivotal and we still have stuff to play for.”
(Image: John Walton/PA Wire)
But they have had plenty of time to prepare for the City game, with the match to take place on Tuesday night, after the Citizens were beaten in the FA Cup final at the weekend by Crystal Palace.
But Adams is expecting a tough test.
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“I'm happy we’re playing them on a Tuesday after they've played a cup final. But listen, City has so, so much quality. I've had the opportunity to play against them so many times now.
“And it's funny, even this season people are talking about them not being at their best and look at where they are on the table, still competing for trophies, still winning trophies, a high-level team. So it'll be a tough challenge.”
(Image: Richard Crease)
One player who won’t be making the trip to Manchester is Alex Scott, the Englishman needing surgery after breaking his jaw from getting an elbow in the face from Tyrone Mings vs Villa.
Scott has had troubles with injury this season – and Adams, who played just four games in his first season in the club due to persistent injuries – knows how that feels.
“I feel for him,” Adams said.
“I texted him as soon as I heard he was going to have to have surgery. It's someone that I arrived at the club with and I've seemed to escape the injury cycle that I was in.
(Image: Richard Crease)
“And for him, I just feel like every time he gets back to his best, he has to take a step back. But again, the quality that he has, the mentality that he has and what he's shown at every level he's been able to play at, at his age is pretty incredible already.
“I always just tell him he's just got to be patient because it will come, right and I hope he's able to break that cycle because there's so much quality that he has that he's going to be able to help our team and go on to do bigger and better things.”