This week has seen Ben Foster and Mark Goldbridge criticise Aston Villa and Unai Emery for their tactical high line in their win against Burnley.
Ever since Unai Emery came through the doors at Aston Villa his side have played with a high line to catch teams offside.
Despite it having its risks, the system has proved overly effective as they have caught players offside the most times in the Premier League this season. As of December 8th, the Villans had achieved 173 offsides which was 78 more than any other team, according to The Analyst.
This has been a huge factor in their rise up the league which sees them sit in second place in the league table. Wins over Manchester City and Arsenal have summed up their form so far this campaign.
New signing, Pau Torres, alongside the ever-improving Ezri Konsa has helped to make the offside trap effective.
With that being said, it has now been criticised following the Villans conceding six goals in their last three games.
Goldbridge not a fan of Villa’s high-line
Villa have often flown under the radar this season with not many pundits taking their credentials seriously at times.
In Ben Fosters Football Fill-in, they had been praising Villa following their victory over Burnley last time out. This saw them heap praise, particularly on Ollie Watkins who added two assists to his season’s tally.
Following this, they opened up about Emery’s side and their away form in contrast to their superb record at home. This was put down to their high line and tactics.
On this Mark Goldbridge said: “I’ve watched them a lot over Christmas. Fantastic at home. ____ away. And really bad away. Like Brentford, they would’ve lost if Mee hadn’t got that red card. Then at United, they were dreadful really.
“Their high line away from home is a problem as we’ve seen when they played Liverpool and Newcastle. But at Home they’re great.”
It must be said that their away form hasn’t been as good as their home form but it hasn’t been as made as made out. With four wins and four defeats, they have the sixth-best form in the league, on the road.
There was still some praise from Goldbridge who added: “Emery’s done such a good job, but is there a tactical tweak away from home just a grind a few wins out? Because at Home they’ll get top four but I just I’ve seen my way and I go ‘It’s like a ‘Jekyll and Hyde’”
It is safe to say that Goldbridge isn’t quite sure about the tactical system of playing a high line. There is no doubt that it works and there is very little chance that Emery is going to change.
