BBC Sport takes a tactical look at Unai Emery's Aston Villa struggles after four consecutive defeats.
The first two years of Unai Emery's reign as Aston Villa manager was a frictionless ascent from relegation fears to Champions League music.
Injury and fatigue, a knock-on effect of Champions League football, is surely a factor, but analysis of their Premier League performances in 2024-25 reveals four tactical issues for Emery to solve.Winger Leon Bailey has just two goal involvements in the Premier League after hitting 19 in 2023-24. With theThey could really do with Ian Maatsen’s movement in behind, because at the moment too much of Villa’s play is funnelled through the excellent Morgan Rogers.
Their xG has dropped slightly from 1.70 expected goals per game to 1.52 per game but they have still created the second most ‘big chances’ in the Premier League . Last season Villa allowed more through balls than anyone else. This year they have allowed the fewest .In home games against Man Utd, Villa's possession winning line was three metres deeper this season compared to last season
For a clearer example of this difference - of how Tielemans’ style stretches Villa more, making them vulnerable to disjointed passing or end-to-end games – take a look at a typical pass map for both players below:All Douglas Luiz passes in Villa 3-1 Luton from October 2023, showing the successful and failed passes.All Youri Tielemans passes in Villa 0-0 Man Utd in October 2024, showing the successful and failed passesLuckily for Villa, Kamara is now back from injury.
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