Leicester City showed a fairly good possession game in their 4-3-3 system, earning them a two goal lead as they fought to avoid relegation. West Ham became more proactive in the second half with some good wing play, but ultimately could not find the equalizer. Despite this, the win was not enough for Leicester, who […]
Ralf Rangnick came out on top in the battle of two new managers at Carrow Road, but only just. Manchester United needed a second-half penalty to get past Norwich City, who were organized and disciplined but did not pose enough of a threat going forward. Tactical analysis and match report by Harshal Patel. In appointing […]
With both team’s flirting with midtable mediocrity, three points were important to claw towards expectation, which would leave the other red-faced. Arsenal exposed Aston Villa’s structural issues for all to see, a first-half rout enough to seal a big win. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. A quarter way through the Premier League […]
Manchester United’s possession structure and wing dynamics presented a tough challenge for Aston Villa to contend with throughout the game. Villa were able to go ahead after some poor individual defending from United, but the away side quickly turned it around in the second half with goals from Bruno Fernandes and Mason Greenwood, before Edinson […]
Though Arsenal had decent spells, Aston Villa’s organized defensive shape and work in transitioning proved too much for Mikel Arteta’s team. Arsenal had their most controlling periods towards the end of the game, thanks to their changes, but reverted back to old systemic problems in desperation for points. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. […]
Aston Villa brought good counterpressing, quick free-kicks and a narrow defensive block, but Manchester United withstood their rampant opponents to go level on points with Liverpool. This high intensity and entertaining affair brought the best out of few, but Paul Pogba’s role on the left turned out to be too much to handle for their […]
A matchup between two teams, level on points, forty-eight hours after their last game was not ideal for both, but Chelsea and Aston Villa served up a feisty affair. Chelsea blew hot and cold, convincing combinations hand-in-hand with fruitless passes, whilst Aston Villa pressed effectively, without feeding their attack as much as they could have. […]
Relegation threatened Aston Villa played out a stale contest hosting Champions-League-chasing Wolverhampton Wanderers. Sparse bright spots in Villa buildup play amounted to nothing while Wolves’ failures to capitalize on fortuitous opportunities went unpunished as one moment of Wolves quality decided the match in their favour. Tactical analysis and match report by Julian Chingoma. This was […]
Aston Villa’s defensive system collapsed when two goals in rapid succession stunned Villa, who were then able to climb back up the ladder by pulling one back. Eventually, City simply proved to be too good, as Villa encountered its own strategic issues. Tactical analysis and match report by Kareem Bianchi. Following the weekend’s events – […]
Aston Villa’s trepidation at going head-to-head with Manchester City proved prophetic as Pep Guardiola’s visitors demolished the home side in a stunning performance at Villa Park. Faced with a nightmarish injury list, Dean Smith could perhaps be forgiven for throwing in the towel, yet the manner of the defeat raises serious questions about the home […]