Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has channelled his inner Jose Mourinho after the Cherries drew 1-1 with Aston Villa on Saturday.

The visitors looked set to crash to defeat after Ross Barkley broke the deadlock in the 76th minute.


But Bournemouth clinched a point at the death, with Evanilson netting in the 96th minute to spark wild celebrations in the away end.

There was controversy during the clash when the Cherries were denied a penalty after the ball appeared to strike Leon Bailey on the hand. That came after Matty Cash had lunged in on Antoine Semenyo.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has channelled his inner Jose Mourinho after the Cherries drew 1-1 with Aston Villa on Saturday.

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And Areola has now channeled his inner Mourinho by saying he would ‘prefer not to speak’ about the incident.

Speaking to the BBC, he said: “I don’t want to talk about the referees. I prefer not to speak.

“After I was suspended I prefer to start a clean slate.”

Mourinho once said the words ‘I prefer not to speak’ while managing Chelsea. Coincidentally, that was after a match with Villa too.

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It has become a popular meme in the time since and, on Thursday night, Mourinho said it again after Fenerbahce’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

Areola admitted Bournemouth’s match with Villa was ‘difficult’.

But he was delighted after they earned a draw at the death courtesy of Evanilson’s late strike.

“It is always nice when you have a point at the end in the last minute of the game,” he stated.

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“I don’t feel we played well but we competed well. We faced a very good team and they started better than us. It was difficult.”

On their goal being scored from a well-worked set-piece, he continued: “Especially with the keeper, everything we were putting on the second post he was claiming everything.

“Luckily the last one it is difficult header but it was a great goal in a great moment.”

In a separate interview with Sky Sports, Areola said he was pleased at Bournemouth’s willingless to keep fighting until the end.

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Bournemouth Aston Villa

Bournemouth fell behind against Aston Villa after a goal from Ross Barkley

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“Happy when you get one point at the end in the last minute,” he said.

“After fighting and being under pressure in a lot of parts of the game. I think we competed really well today.

“We started badly and they were better at the start. We had chances but it was a difficult game for us.

“We are scoring in a lot of games in the last 15-20 minutes.

Bournemouth Aston Villa

Bournemouth earned a draw against Aston Villa with Evanilson scoring at the death

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“We need this energy at the end I think sometimes we give too much importance to those starters and we have seen those who come on are just as important.

“It doesn’t get any easier. We are competing well and showing some character. It is a valuable point.”