FORMATIONS
TACTICS
OFFENSIVE:
Aston Villa's main advantage is their fluidity in possession -- the transition from defence to offence.
Confident build-up play using the CBs and GK.
In this match, Ramsey drifted inwards allowing Alex Moreno to operate almost as a left winger.
With two number 10s in the half spaces behind Watkins, it was very easy for them to link up and get into the opposition box.
They try to create triangles and link-up play to get out of tight situations.
Watkins has a very dynamic role. Starting from a deeper role, he likes to make runs in behind the defenders, rather than staying in line with them. His pace allows him to get past the CBs. He can also move at the edge of the box.
DEFENSIVE:
Unai Emery's men dropped to a 4-4-2 system out of possession. Bailey and Ramsey joined the midfield pivot of Douglas Luiz and McGinn.
They constantly held a high line of defence and deployed a mid-block. Aston Villa narrowed down the area for the opponent to play through - hence forcing them to go for long balls.
SET-PIECE ANALYSIS
Corners:
Aston Villa implemented the same set play routine in all 4 corners in this match (all 4 were in the first half).
There were 2 groups of 3 -- Ramsey(#41), Moreno(#15) and Bailey(#31) & Watkins(#11), Lenglet(#17) and Pau Torres(#14).
The box's far post and centre are targetted in the corners.
As the ball is played in, Ramsey(#41), Watkins(#11) and Lenglet(#17) make a run towards the first post creating space behind them.
Bailey(#31) and Pau Torres(#14) get behind in the space to attack the ball.
Finally, Alex Moreno(#15) is tasked to stay and disturb the keeper until the last minute, when he returns to the onside position at the far post, unmarked. This creates an opportunity for any rebounds or half chances.
Moreno's goal from a similar kind of position was overruled in the 40th minute due to offside.
STRENGTHS
The Leon Bailey threat - The Jamaican international has immense speed and can take on a 1v1 with anyone and win. He mainly stays wide in the right wing stretching the opponent and getting into a 1v1 situation with the fullback.
Flexibility and fluidity in positions - This is what confuses the opponent. The LW can drop into the midfield allowing the LB to move up. The ST can drop deep and make space for another player. There are numerous cases. The opponent must be aware of this practice.
Build Up - Unai Emery has got solid ball-playing CBs in his squad. He brought back Pau Torres from his old club Villarreal and Clement Lenglet from Barcelona. Both of them are very calm and good on the ball. This allows them to build confidently from the back. Aston Villa are good in transitions.
WEAKNESS
Keeping a very high line, they often leave quite some space behind them.
Aston Villa are somewhat weak when pressed high in the midfield transitions.
CREDIT: I do not own any of the original match clippings. The match clipping is taken from the official streaming of the game. I have used Play by Metrica Sports to telestrate and do my analysis. The analysis is completely my own work, the match recordings are owned by the FA, English Premier League.
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Good analysis 👍