Third-placed Villa visit the Vitality Stadium aiming to bounce back from their defeat at home against Brentford, while Bournemouth arrive back at home on a run of four games unbeaten.
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Iraola’s side will also be looking to avenge their 4-0 defeat at Villa Park from earlier in the season.
The boss said they must improve from their performance in November
“I think we didn't play well against Villa, but it was not a 4-0 game,” he told the Daily Echo.
Bournemouth's Adrien Truffert (left) and Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers battle for the ball during the (Image: Barrington Coombs/PA Wire)
“I think they scored three set plays that okay, you can defend better, but it's an amazing free kick, two corner goals at the end, and we had a big chance. We missed a penalty at 2-0 that I think we were playing very well in the second half.
“So we know probably they were better than us, but I don't feel they are 4-0 better than us.
“I think we were closer than the result makes it look, and we will definitely need to be better than that day, but I don't think it was so, so bad the game.”
Asked about Villa and if they are title contenders, Iraola said: “I think the numbers speak by themselves. At the end, they are third in the table, second in the away table.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola after the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. (Image: Nigel French/PA Wire)
“They've been very good, not just this season, it's a consistent thing. They've qualified for Champions League, last season, I think it was until the last game.
“This season looks like they are going to do it again. So it's one of the best teams of the league in the past years.
“It's like when we faced Liverpool the other day, or when you face these top teams, you want to get just one point from the game tomorrow, you will have to be very good.
“Otherwise, you have no chance and I think we know this.”
Aston Villa's Emi Buendia (left) and Bournemouth's Alex Jimenez battle for the ball during the (Image: Barrington Coombs/PA Wire)
Villa have the best record in securing points from losing positions, with 18, so Iraola was asked if taking the lead is a dangerous position to be in.
But he said the first goal is key for the Cherries: “If you don't take the lead, you have no chance.
“Because I think they have 15 games, if I'm not wrong, where they've scored first.
“I think they've won 14 and one draw. So even if they are very good coming back, and even if you score, they have a lot of chances.
“If you don't score first, it's even more difficult. So definitely we will try to score first, even if they are very good after conceding also, because they are very, very good both sides.
“So from our side, I prefer, and I think it's going to be very important to score first.”