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Aston Villa set for new playing style under Unai Emery as Pau Torres set to join in £31m+ transfer
Aston Villa have had a fantastic summer of transfers so far, and we’re only just getting started if the reports are to be believed.
Youri Tielemans has already put pen to paper on a free transfer from Leicester, and Pau Torres is currently undergoing a medical ahead of his £31.9m transfer from Villarreal [Fabrizio Romano].
But while Tielemans’ role in the squad is quite obvious in the centre of midfield, there are question marks about how Torres will come in and who he will replace between Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa in Unai Emery’s preferred back four.
Konsa’s place in the team seems safe because Torres is by far more comfortable playing as the left-sided centre-back, something he did exclusively while working with Emery at Villarreal.
So that puts him in direct competition with former captain Mings, and according to the WhoScored comparison tool, it’s a close battle when it comes to the defensive statistics.
Mings’ availability was better over the course of the 22/23 season, and all of his defensive stats are regarded as better on a per-90-minute basis barring tackles (0.4 to 1.3 in Torres’ favour).
But when you look at their abilities on the ball, there is another clear winner and this time it is the Spanish international.
Torres has better stats for key passes per 90, averages more passes per game, has a better passing success rate and plays more through balls, which suggests Emery could be looking to play a more possession-based game.
With European football at Villa Park next season, keeping the ball will be key and building from the back is the next evolution for this team.
Adding Diego Carlos to these central defensive options undoubtedly makes us very strong at the back, and Emery has plans to take us to the next level now. It’s an exciting time to be an Aston Villa fan.
In other Aston Villa news, youngster has his future in Emery’s hands after shining this summer.