In a recent report, Unai Emery has been praised for the tactic that he has employed with Aston Villa, contributing to their defensive stability.
It has been a great start to the Premier League season for Aston Villa, sitting just three points behind Manchester City.
This is a testament to the work that Unai Emery has done at Villa Park. This as he has only been in charge for just over 12 months.
The Villans have scored 29 goals this season which is second only to an Erling Haaland-inspired Cityzen’s side. On the flipside, they have conceded the joint ninth least goals, with 17 in 12 games.
Ironically, Emery’s side have only conceded more than one in their three league defeats this season. With every other game seeing them concede one or less.
Despite only keeping three clean sheets so far, it must be said Villa are a solid defensive unit right now.
What has been said about Unai Emery’s tactic?
The offside trap has been one feature of Emery’s set-up in B6 ever since his move from Villareal. Even when it hasn’t worked, it has been unnegotiable.
Speaking with Give Me Sport, a former manager has opened up about the tactic and why it is successful.
On the Villa defence, they said: “It also helps that Villa have mobile defenders. None of them are slow on the turn and with keeper Emi Martinez alive to the prospect of a ball over the top. The actual space their opponents are trying to hit isn’t that great.”
With Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres in the heart of the Villa defence, they are hard enough to get by. Add to that Lucas Digne and Matty Cash flanking them there is a great base to the side. With Martinez behind them all, Villa have an enviable backline right now.
This allows Villa to play a high line which works as a very effective offside trap. Just looking in recent weeks Fulham were offside seven times. Nottingham Forest, nine and Luton Town six times.
Although Villa did lose against Forest, they conceded to two long-range efforts. The offside trap stopped any closer-range efforts troubling Martinez. This is especially true with the pace of Anthony Elanga and Taiwo Awoniyi in behind.
Continuing on, the former manager added: “It’s clever. If the opposition doesn’t want to shift the ball forwards and the space is condensed, Villa will – more often than not – either turn over possession or, if forwards gamble too soon, they’ll be caught.”
When it works, it really works and it is one of the most effective defensive tactic setups in the Premier League. It is great to watch and it is nearly impossible, at times, for opposition teams to combat.
