Bournemouth ´have to keep fighting´ for Europe after Villa defeat – Iraola

Andoni Iraola insists Bournemouth “have to keep fighting” after their European hopes were dented by a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa.

Ollie Watkins scored the only goal at the Vitality Stadium as the Cherries slipped below Brentford and Brighton – who both won earlier on Saturday – to 10th place with two games remaining.

Bournemouth enjoyed 65.7% of possession and played the final 10 minutes plus stoppage time with a numerical advantage following Jacob Ramsey’s dismissal.

However, Iraola’s side could not find the breakthrough and slipped to their fifth defeat in seven Premier League home games.

Nevertheless, the Spaniard is adamant the race to qualify for Europe next season is not over yet.

“We are in a worse position than we were a couple of hours ago, but we have to keep fighting,” he told Sky Sports.

“[Villa] managed the game better overall. [In the] second half, we threatened more, but we couldn’t score and couldn’t take those chances.

Defeated. pic.twitter.com/7NBNeDUxHS

— AFC Bournemouth(@afcbournemouth) May 10, 2025

“They defended very compact, and it was difficult to find spaces. There were moments when we found good transitions and situations.

“We are in a great position in a fight that we would have hoped for before the season. We have lost eighth spot, and then we have to keep an eye on other things.”

The Cherries’ quest to keep their continental hopes alive takes them to the Etihad Stadium to play Manchester City on May 20, before hosting relegated Leicester City on the final day.

And defender Dean Huijsen says every game has been “a final” for him and his team-mates over the past few weeks.

“I think we conceded an easy goal,” he told Sky Sports. “We created some chances, but we couldn’t really finish them. We dominated for most of the game, but it is what it is.

“For the past three months, everyone has been saying: ‘This match is important’, but it’s been a final for us every week.

!We give everything, and there are two games to go. Everything is open and, hopefully, we can make it.

“We just need to move on. We have nine or 10 days to prepare for the game [against Manchester City]. We need to be fresh, get ready and take the three points.”