Aston Villa – Manchester City: Jackson’s Double Sinks City (2-1)
Aston Villa took an early lead here and then proceeded to defend deep against City’s 3-1-5-1 structure. Enzo Maresca’s side worked themselves into promising areas with their wing play, but ultimately did not do enough in the final third to overcome Nicolas Jackson’s brace.
Tactical analysis and match report by Josh Manley.
After taking some time to adjust to the squad upheaval they faced in the summer, Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side have been able to put together a better run of form recently, including wins away at Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle, plus three Champions League victories.
Manchester City had also been in good form on the pitch, despite the off-pitch happenings. Their defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain last week was the only game in which they had failed to win since their Community Shield loss to Arsenal in mid-August.
Emery lined his side up in a 4-2-3-1 shape here with a back four of Matty Cash, Victor Lindelöf, Pau Torres, and Ian Maatsen. João Gomes and Boubacar Kamara were the central midfielders while Alysson, John McGinn, and Johan Manzambi were the attacking midfield trio behind striker Nicolas Jackson.
For Enzo Maresca it was also a nominal 4-2-3-1 shape with Abdukodir Khusanov, Rúben Dias, Marc Guéhi, and Joško Gvardiol in the backline. Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernández were the double pivot in midfield behind Rayan Cherki, while Iliman Ndiaye and Jérémy Doku started wide of Erling Haaland.
Villa take the early lead
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