Unai Emery gets it horribly wrong after change emerges at Aston Villa
Aston Villa returned to a much-needed higher note when they overcame Cardiff City to qualify for the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
The 2-0 win on 28 February kept Villa fighting on three fronts this season, with the Champions League last 16 next up.
Emery was in need of a victory and a clean sheet after the 4-1 demolition by Crystal Palace in the Premier League just days prior.
Emery ‘overthought’ in last Premier League outing
Aston Villa currently sit 10th in the Premier League, and could find themselves short as it stands in the race for European qualification once more.
The Villans so often operate with a 4-2-3-1 formation but matched Palace with a back three during the first half at Selhurst Park.
TV commentator Ian Darke, speaking exclusively to Villa News, believes Emery should make the most of his attack rather than trying to match the opposition.
“Managers are always tempted to switch formation to reflect and match the opposition, and that’s what Emery did recently against Crystal Palace,” Darke said.
“Palace play the 3-4-3 shape all the time. He thought that would work and it just goes to show really that no matter your depth of preparation, you can always get it wrong. I think it was just a case really of overthinking.
“Maybe Villa, with all the attacking talent they have, should take the view that the opponents should be the ones to worry about them. They just can’t keep a clean sheet in the league for love nor money.”
Aston Villa season could go either way
Aston Villa could enjoy a monumental Champions League run, roar back into the Premier League top four and win the FA Cup.
On the other hand, it could all go horribly wrong – but Emery appears to have learnt his lesson from a dire performance at Palace.
The Cardiff result went the way most expected, Marco Asensio continuing his excellent goalscoring form, but the Villans need to ensure they build a platform from it.
| Aston Villa – formations used this season | Matches used |
| 4-2-3-1 | 37 |
| 4-4-2 | 2 |
| 4-4-1-1 | 1 |
| 3-4-3 | 1 |
As Darke pointed out, it was 10 games without a clean sheet in all competitions before last Friday, stretching back to the 1-0 win at Goodison Park against Everton back on 15 January.
Next up comes the first leg of the Champions League last 16 for Aston Villa away at Club Brugge – a ground they remember not so fondly from earlier this term.