Steve Cook feel honoured to be gracing the pitch with a trio of players he has climbed the ranks with.

Bournemouth's back four of Tommy Elphick, Cook, Charlie Daniels and Simon Francis, which competed in the club's first-ever Premier League fixture against Aston Villa on Saturday, was the same defence that lined up in League One for the Cherries a couple of years ago.

24-year-old Cook believes the familiarity amongst the backline will have a positive impact for the club this season.

"The back four on Saturday was the same as it was in League One," he told afcb.co.uk.

"We've been playing together for years so we know each other's game inside out and know how to motivate each other. That makes it easy to stick together.

"We are a very positive bunch and we have big characters. Last year we went five games without a win and we didn't let our heads go down once.

"This year's no different; we're going to need a lot of mental strength and to stick together."

Bournemouth will look to reverse their 1-0 defeat to Villa when they head to Liverpool this weekend.