Alan Hutton: Aston Villa must continue to be aggressive under Unai Emery
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park.
Alan Hutton feels Aston Villa suit being aggressive in their style of play as Unai Emery’s side picked up six second-half yellow cards against Brighton.
The Spaniard’s reign has got off to a good start with two Premier League wins already under his belt since taking over from Steven Gerrard.
Villa have visibly been more aggressive under the 50-year-old and Hutton believes it’s something they must continue to do when the Premier League restarts in December.
“I think they have to, it was something that was missing under Steven Gerrard’s reign at the club,” Hutton exclusively told Villa News.
“They kind of sat off, they weren’t aggressive, they weren’t hunting the ball down in packs but you can see that they’re actually doing that now. He will want the players to be more capable on the ball as in being patient, passing it around the back and don’t just hit the ball forward in the hope something happens.
“However, with that becomes a risk, you’ve seen some of the goals which they’ve given away, particularly with a couple of mistakes from the goalkeeper and it’s something they will have to brush up on and they will in time.
“I think the style of play already is better for this Aston Villa team. To be on the front foot and be aggressive and you’re going to give away fouls, it’s part of it.”
Emery now has four weeks to work with his players before their Premier League campaign gets back underway after the World Cup.
The Villa manager will be relishing the opportunity to drill his players on the training field without the stresses of fixtures coming thick and fast.
In other news, Unai Emery is set to ask the Aston Villa board to sign two Real Madrid players