Scouting Report: Aston Villa | Stats & In Depth Tactical Analysis

• Team set up in a 4x2x3x1. The offensive 3 playing behind the striker [narrow] all brake lines and can penetrate depth with their runs [flick on’s] with great mobility & timing. Always try to play with good rhythm and tempo, especially in creation areas.
• Often the 3 display rotation between each other, with N’Zogbia often moving wide [allowing inside progression from the fullback on that side] and Agbonlahor/Weimann moving inside to become second strikers.
•  Fullbacks both deep in build up, support late with delayed attacks [no natural width].
• In 1st phase [from goalkeeper] they look to go long and direct to the head of Benteke [flick on].
• Weimann/N’Zogbia/Agbonlahor will all break lines into the depth [to win the second ball from Benteke’s flick on] & will often create numerical superiority if the fullbacks don’t come inside to cover quick enough or the defensive line isn’t tight.
• The 2nd and 3rd phases pattern is often a mix between direct and short passes. Both centre backs are high, looking to use the fullbacks for verticality [usually ball up the line] and initiative. The centre backs will go long and high, or back to the goalkeeper if presses. Delph has a good short passing range [capable of vertical passes through lines], also displays progression on the ball.
• Look to get the ball to the strikers [feet, between lines] as soon as possible, then short layoffs.
• The 4th phase often results in crossing situations [often N’Zogbia on the left or Lowton on the right], with Benteke attacking 1st post/keeper, Agbonlahor attacking 1st post/penalty spot and Weimann attacking second post [fullback needs to be aware and anticipate the movement as he has very good timing].

Team Dynamics:

• The team defend in a 4x4x1x1, medium block, deep defensive line [space between lines] with good numerical and defensive balance to block the opposition counter attacking in transitions.
• Often poor alignment from the defensive line.
• Poor spacing from left back after line breaks down right hand side
• Can exploit depth behind defenders [centre backs, especially, have slow turning speed] with the fullbacks often caught too deep.
• Poor inside cover from both fullbacks when centre back is draw in between lines [possibility to exploit, see example in the patterns sections].
• Initiative to press from midfield [central midfielders aggressive] but quick and short 1-2 combinations can be used to penetrate midfield line.
• Centre backs can be drawn high (usually 2/3rd phase, facing play).
• Run in front of centre backs in box (draw deep then quick turn) as they don’t have the mobility or reactions to then get into a position to win the ball.
• Fullbacks can track diagonal runs from wide players running inside [behind centre backs] into depth, leaving possibility long balls over to top to exploit and penetrate them.
• Try to play offside but poor timing & easy to exploit.

Defensive shape:

• Quick transitions dangerous, with progression on the ball from N’Zogbia and the other 3 offensive players moving inside to create overload in front of him.
• This is to stretch the opposition defensive line and force them to drop deep, allowing space for N’Zogbia space to progress on the ball. Upon pressure he will then release [inconsistent with final pass] the ball though behind the player that is pressing [important that fullbacks move inside to cover].
• Agbonlahor [into depth] and Delph’s [breaking lines from deep – match runs] mobility is also a big threat.
• Slow transitions from goalkeeper.

• Struggle to match central midfielders breaking lines, leaving space between the lines.
• Medium initial reaction, but easy to penetrate initial pressing line [now 4x2x4] down the wings. Very good numerical balance & a low-medium defensive line, where the fullbacks can get caught deeper than the centre backs [leaving space to exploit behind the centre backs].
• Space in front of fullbacks and centre backs in transitions, especially the fullbacks that are deep [with the wide players high] and struggle to get back to track their man [overload or draw fullbacks out, the exploit space created behind].
• Centre backs very aggressive, especially baker. He often dives in (fouls) with tackles that are often a little out of control.
• If the opponent doesn’t counter attack quickly initially and retains possession, they will drop to a 4x4x1x1 medium block, initiative to press from midfield.