Jacob Tanswell

Unai Emery’s chessboard: How Aston Villa’s No 10s dictate every move On Sunday, Emery became the quickest Villa manager to earn 80 wins. Several ingredients have contributed to such prolonged consistency

Unai Emery’s chessboard: How Aston Villa’s No 10s dictate every move.

Piece @theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Simply through Burnley’s engrossment with Morgan Rogers, #AVFC had a two-vs-two on the other two centre-backs. This culminated in Malen’s first goal, with Kamara playing an exceptional through ball.

As for Feyenoord, they did not know who to mark the furthest No 10. One CM would press high, leaving their partner covering both No 10s.#AVFC created 2v1s and played around them. Because their CBs were reluctant to step out (as Watkins would run behind) one No 10 always had space

Sander Berge was tasked with marking the "furthest No 10" in Elliott but jumping on McGinn when he had the ball. It created a 2v1 for #AVFC down their right, simply by having two No 10s instead of one. This was partly due to Fulham always marking Rogers on the opposition side

Occupying different spaces makes the opponent react. #AVFC’s No 10s are carefully designed constructs of Unai Emery. His counterparts have attempted varying strategies to nullify his No 10s, shown in the last week.

We start vs Fulham when McGinn sees the space he has...

Thread:

Only three Villa players in Premier League history have registered more open-play assists than Morgan Rogers in a calendar year. No team attacks centrally more than #AVFC. Game plans are built around the "furthest no 10" opening passing lanes and the two 10s.

Unai Emery’s chessboard: How Aston Villa’s No 10s dictate every move On Sunday, Emery became the quickest Villa manager to earn 80 wins. Several ingredients have contributed to such prolonged consistency

Three games inside a week brought three different strategies from opponents, all attempting to nullify #AVFC’s most open secret - Emery’s chess piece no 10s. Yet no one did or can - very rarely are they kept quiet. Here’s why:

@theathleticfc.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Emery says he is trying to adjust Donyell Malen into #AVFC's structure. Against Burnley's back five, he wanted to get "one more player in the attacking third," but believes Malen is best starting higher and near the opponent's box, so starting central means he's more effective.

Emery: "He gives us the opportunity to add more players as a midfielder, centre back, but I think his best position is a midfielder." #AVFC

Unai Emery on Lamare Bogarde: "Fantastic because he’s getting mature as a person. He was here when I arrived three years ago. His development is really clear. We have been demanding, pushing him and sometimes punishing him. But he's reacting fantastically." #AVFC

FT: #AVFC 2-1 Burnley

Villa made hard work of that near the end but four straight wins in all comps. In his 150th game, Emery reaches 80 wins- 15 games quicker than any other Villa manager. Spine again impressive with Bogarde again excellent & composure (56/58 passes completed).

Flemming has just been staring at the North Stand as they make their feelings known. It's not good from him and lucky there wasn't any further punishment.

Buendia, luckily, is up and walks off the pitch. Maatsen comes on #AVFC

Buendia has been down for some time after recieving an elbow to the face from Zian Flemming. A stretcher is coming on the pitch.

During the scuffle which ensued, Martinez picked up a yellow card. #AVFC

A well deserved standing ovation for Lamare Bogarde. He is replaced by Amadou Onana.

#AVFC

Lindelof and Barkley replace Cash and Malen. Rogers up top, Lindelof at right-back

#AVFC

Lamare Bogarde's heart rate never goes above 160 - composed, positionally aware and press resistant.

#AVFC have lost a bit since the double sub (having reverted back to old shape)

Goal, Burnley pull one back. Ukochukwu heads in for a corner. 2-1

#AVFC had been very comfortable.

What a finish. Malen becomes #AVFC's leading PL goalscorer this season in one game.

Hell of a finish. A snapshot. Rogers gets the ball in the perfect position between the lines (Laurent wasn't there) and tees up Malen. He controls and shoots, almost straight away. Emphatic. 2-0

Guessand and Buendia are coming on. #AVFC

Quite amazing how reassuring it must be to have Kamara back fit. Just the safety blanket with and without the ball.

#AVFC could do with getting this game done while they are in control

On paper, Malen has simply replaced Guessand

But if you look at #AVFC's average positions compared to Fulham, Guessand (29) was a typical Emery winger, moving up top at certain times. Whereas Malen (17) is a traditional No 9 today,tasked with finishing (only four passes so far)

HT: #AVFC 1-0 Burnley

Only a goal in it, but a good half. Villa playing with rhythm.Look cohesive going forward, with pace and power. Emery's approach & tweaks are so interesting in counteracting the Burnley setup.Probably like to see a few more moves end up with shots on target

Good save from Martinez to turn Cullen's effort around the post. Holte End sings his name as he smiles. His calf looks fine today. #AVFC

#AVFC have had to be less predictable and this 4-4-2 is just that. Burnley's back five has been so occupied in stopping Villa's No 10s (Laurent stepping out to press Rogers) that moving Malen next to Watkins means it's a constant 2v2. It helps you have Kamara doing that!

Brilliant from #AVFC. And it shows you why Emry wanted him central today.

Kamara's pass is exquisite - quite brilliant - wrapping it to Malen who has peeled away from Esteve before finishing. Shows that you can exploit a 2v2... 1-0 Villa

Good game. Burnley are hustlers. Aggressive in midfield and try to play forward quickly. As always, a wing-back system does carry threat against a Villa shape where Emery doesn't like his FBs defending out-wide. But #AVFC playing out well & producing chances

#AVFC not quite playing a high line, but it is an offside trap - the back four does not drop off, instead holding.

Kyle Walker has tried a few times to put one behind Cash. Burnley just offside from one of them, but it can be dangerous

Watch Josh Laurent... basically man-marking Morgan Rogers. But with Malen going up alongside Watkins, #AVFC are 2v2 against Burnley's other two CBs

Means width comes from Cash, who can occupy high and wide areas with Bogarde dropping into a third CB position. #AVFC

A subtle change this season has been #AVFC being in a 4-2-2-2 shape in phases. It's pronounced here - Malen & Watkins playing as a striking duo, with McGinn & Rogers tucking in from either side. Malen means another player on Burnley's back 5 basically, instead of just Watkins