Credit: Imago
Credit: Imago
Match

Unai Emery will be livid as shocking statistic explains big reason behind Aston Villa’s attacking woes 

Jack Dawson
Jack Dawson

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at the Edinburgh Evening News and GRV Media; Masters graduate from the University of Derby. FOCUS Scottish Premiership coverage with specialist knowledge of Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen, and Motherwell. THE INSIGHT Jack utilises a network of club and industry contacts across the Scottish Premiership to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the tactical and transfer insight behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

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Aston Villa’s recent success in the Premier League has been built on numerous factors.

Unai Emery has been able to use multiple different players and tactics in order to pick up multiple victories.

The Birmingham outfit’s use of Villa Park has been vital in many Aston Villa victories in recent years.

However, with Villa currently struggling to score in the Premier League, this could be down to one vital factor.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery looks confused in the dugout.
Unai Emery has overseen a tough start at Aston Villa (Credit: Imago)

Aston Villa have produced the second-lowest xG from set-pieces this season

Aston Villa’s threat from set pieces has been heavily praised in recent years.

Led by coach Austin MacPhee, the Birmingham outfit have been sensational from dead balls.

In fact, last season alone, Villa scored 16 goals from set-pieces, the second highest in the division, which contributed to 27 per cent of all of their league goals scored in the division.

However, with Aston Villa only scoring once from dead balls this season, a shocking statistic has emerged.

According to Opta on 6 October, Emery’s side have only produced a 1.38 xG from set pieces this season.

As it stands, it is the second-lowest in the division, with only Nottingham Forest producing worse.

Austin MacPhee watching over Aston Villa training
Austin MacPhee is Aston Villa's current set-piece coach (Credit: Imago)

Therefore, with one of Villa’s biggest previous threats currently missing, it helps explain why the Birmingham outfit have only scored six times in the Premier League this season.

MacPhee now needs to use the international break to get to the root of this problem and make Villa a threat from dead balls once again.

Aston Villa continue to struggle to defend set-pieces 

While Villa have been strong at attacking dead balls, defending them has been a different story.

Now, this trend has seemingly continued in the current campaign, with Emery’s side already conceding from three dead-ball situations.

Lowest xG produced from attacking set-pieces this season
Nottingham Forest 0.75
Aston Villa 1.38
Manchester City 1.67
Wolves 1.72
Burnley 1.80
Aston Villa have struggled at attacking set-pieces this season

Only three other Premier League teams have let in more so far, with Villa conceding a 3.01 xG.

Again, this problem needs to be quickly fixed, before it costs Villa further.

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Unai Emery
Austin MacPhee
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