An in-depth analysis of how Aston Villa could approach Tuesday’s Barclays Premier League fixture
An in-depth analysis of how Aston Villa could approach Tuesday’s Barclays Premier League fixture...
Aston Villa have tried all manner of formations, systems and playing styles in an increasingly desperate attempt to arrest their slide towards the Championship.
The Villans have used no fewer than five different formations in their 23 Barclays Premier League matches, with 4-3-3 being the system utilised more than 50 per cent of the time.
However, that shape has been ditched by manager Remi Garde in recent weeks, with the Frenchman adopting a 4-4-2 diamond formation, with encouraging results.
The new approach has seen Villa restore forgotten Czech Republic centre forward Libor Kozak to the starting XI, with the target man giving his side the opportunity to play with a more direct style.
The towering Kozak allows Villa to loft balls forward from deep, with the big striker either flicking the ball on or holding it up and bringing his teammates into play.
Goalkeeper Mark Bunn has developed a habit of lofting goal kicks or free-kicks from inside his own half long to Kozak, who will attempt to find Ayew or Gil running in behind. Gil will usually run through the middle, with Ayew pulling wide onto either flank to find space.
Once in the final third, Villa’s more skilful attacking players have had more joy than in previous months, combining to good effect to open up the opposition defence.
Second-striker Jordan Ayew will start from a deeper position near to Spanish attacking midfielder Carles Gil, giving Villa an arrowhead-shaped front three.
The talented Ayew – widely considered to be Villa’s best attacking player – has been given what many would call a 'free role' as the second centre forward, roaming into space across the front line.
While the movement and interplay from Villa’s attackers has become more effective in the diamond formation, Villa’s chosen tactic to get the ball into the penalty area as quickly as possible.
Ayew and full-backs Leandro Bacuna and Aly Cissokho get forward into wide areas and beyond the line of the opposition penalty area before either crossing for Kozak or cutting the ball back for supporting midfield players Jordan Veretout and Ashley Westwood.
Senegal international Idrissa Gueye will sit deep as Villa’s defensive shield. The 24-year-old is a natural athlete and uses his physical capabilities to good effect, while his anticipation of where the threat may arise is outstanding.
At the back, right-sided centre-half Jores Okore is another strong, quick defensive-minded player who tracks runners well and has the speed to recover if caught out positionally. Alongside him, experienced former England man Joleon Lescott is left-sided.
In midfield, Westwood is a neat and tidy player who always presents himself to receive the ball and has a decent range of passing. Alongside him, French youngster Veretout is also decent in possession.
Both ‘wide’ midfielders in the diamond will tuck in narrow and allow the full-backs to overlap into the space and support the attack.
All of this sounds great, so why have Villa struggled for so long this season?
Statistical analysis website WhoScored.com lists Villa’s weaknesses as follows: Avoiding individual errors, finishing scoring chances, avoiding fouling in dangerous areas and defending against through balls.
In recent matches, Villa have kept the ball better, made less mistakes and cut out the defensive errors which had led to defeat after defeat in the preceding months.
If they can maintain those habits on Tuesday and going forward, Garde’s side may give themselves a chance of pulling off what would be the greatest of Premier League escapes.
Possible starting XI: (4-4-2 diamond) Bunn, Bacuna, Okore, Lescott, Cissokho, Gueye, Veretout, Westwood, Gil, Ayew, Kozak
Aston Villa have tried all manner of formations, systems and playing styles in an increasingly desperate attempt to arrest their slide towards the Championship.
The Villans have used no fewer than five different formations in their 23 Barclays Premier League matches, with 4-3-3 being the system utilised more than 50 per cent of the time.
However, that shape has been ditched by manager Remi Garde in recent weeks, with the Frenchman adopting a 4-4-2 diamond formation, with encouraging results.
The new approach has seen Villa restore forgotten Czech Republic centre forward Libor Kozak to the starting XI, with the target man giving his side the opportunity to play with a more direct style.
The towering Kozak allows Villa to loft balls forward from deep, with the big striker either flicking the ball on or holding it up and bringing his teammates into play.
Goalkeeper Mark Bunn has developed a habit of lofting goal kicks or free-kicks from inside his own half long to Kozak, who will attempt to find Ayew or Gil running in behind. Gil will usually run through the middle, with Ayew pulling wide onto either flank to find space.
Once in the final third, Villa’s more skilful attacking players have had more joy than in previous months, combining to good effect to open up the opposition defence.
Second-striker Jordan Ayew will start from a deeper position near to Spanish attacking midfielder Carles Gil, giving Villa an arrowhead-shaped front three.
The talented Ayew – widely considered to be Villa’s best attacking player – has been given what many would call a 'free role' as the second centre forward, roaming into space across the front line.
While the movement and interplay from Villa’s attackers has become more effective in the diamond formation, Villa’s chosen tactic to get the ball into the penalty area as quickly as possible.
Ayew and full-backs Leandro Bacuna and Aly Cissokho get forward into wide areas and beyond the line of the opposition penalty area before either crossing for Kozak or cutting the ball back for supporting midfield players Jordan Veretout and Ashley Westwood.
Senegal international Idrissa Gueye will sit deep as Villa’s defensive shield. The 24-year-old is a natural athlete and uses his physical capabilities to good effect, while his anticipation of where the threat may arise is outstanding.
At the back, right-sided centre-half Jores Okore is another strong, quick defensive-minded player who tracks runners well and has the speed to recover if caught out positionally. Alongside him, experienced former England man Joleon Lescott is left-sided.
In midfield, Westwood is a neat and tidy player who always presents himself to receive the ball and has a decent range of passing. Alongside him, French youngster Veretout is also decent in possession.
Both ‘wide’ midfielders in the diamond will tuck in narrow and allow the full-backs to overlap into the space and support the attack.
All of this sounds great, so why have Villa struggled for so long this season?
Statistical analysis website WhoScored.com lists Villa’s weaknesses as follows: Avoiding individual errors, finishing scoring chances, avoiding fouling in dangerous areas and defending against through balls.
In recent matches, Villa have kept the ball better, made less mistakes and cut out the defensive errors which had led to defeat after defeat in the preceding months.
If they can maintain those habits on Tuesday and going forward, Garde’s side may give themselves a chance of pulling off what would be the greatest of Premier League escapes.
Possible starting XI: (4-4-2 diamond) Bunn, Bacuna, Okore, Lescott, Cissokho, Gueye, Veretout, Westwood, Gil, Ayew, Kozak