🦁🟣 Team Analysis
Emery’s tactical plan to counter Eddie Howe’s Newcastle
▫️Patterns to bypass pressing structure
▫️Buendia-Rasmey between the lines
▫️Width in build-up
In-depth THREAD ⤵️🧵
Emery’s tactical plan to counter Eddie Howe’s Newcastle
▫️Patterns to bypass pressing structure
▫️Buendia-Rasmey between the lines
▫️Width in build-up
In-depth THREAD ⤵️🧵
Given Aston Villa’s double pivot had a high risk of being well man-marked, 4 defenders have to get wide positions to stretch the first line of press, so Ramsey or Buendia could attack the spaces behind.
Bypass Newcastle pressing is probably one of the hardest things to do in Premier League this season. But, yesterday, Guimaraes had a delay on his individual press. That clearly eased out Villa’s vertical build-up and made the difference.
Usual width implemented by Emery in low-possession phase was welcomed, to stretch both lines of pressure and create large spaces between the lines. Even if the risk is high to loose possession, Villa systematically attempted these vertical passes (long or short).
Wide build-up was the key aspect of the game. Newcastle’s 4-5-1 out of possession is great to counter the double pivot. Yesterday, I observed a lack of physical condition from Magpies, they didn’t jump as fast as usual. This eased out Emery’s plan.
Aston Villa also faked a low build-up multiple times, and it was relevant to force Newcastle to step up. Emiliano Martinez then kicked the ball out, so players up front could be in a 3v4 rather than a 3v6.
Long balls were a good alternative to bypass that pressing structure. Moreover, Aston Villa had the physical advantage over Newcastle. I don’t know why, but these long balls were frequently won by Watkins or Ramsey, second balls as well.
Guimaraes delay in his pressing was the game changer in build-up. He is an exceptional player, yet this mistake is something he has to work on, especially if Newcastle goes in Champions League. I have seen this in Lyon as well. We will see later, but D.Luiz made the opposite.
Emery managed to take the advantage over Newcastle because he found the formula to annihilate their 4-5-1 : Buendia and Ramsey between the lines. Ramsey cutting inside to receive, Buendia receiving Mings perfect passes. As they received the ball, Watkins ready to run in behind.
Concerning Newcastles build-up it strongly relies on Guimaraes moves. Douglas Luiz, on the contrary to Bruno, perfectly man-marked the Brazilian midfielder and annihilated this option in build-up for Newcastle.
Watkins and Buendia’s work in pressing phase, with agressive runs, in the timing, made the task harder for Newcastle, given Guimaraes was perfectly man-marked.
Watkins role has been fundamental in Villa’s transitions. Brilliant back to goal abilities, drawing out counter press so Buendia can be the free-man at the opposite.
His runs have been devastating, another argument to illustrate the better form Aston Villa players had over Newcastle players. Ramsey, more inside of the game, could exploit the advantage of wide build-up : more space on central area (look at Buendia, again).
As mentioned and well detailed in @htomufc last video, when Newcastle had the ball, they had to face this sound 6-2-2, covering maximum width and 4 players upfront, doing agressive runs. One of the best defensive shape in the league.
One sequence can resume key aspects of Aston Villa success yesterday :
Fake low build-up : drawing out the press
Win the second balls
Vertical build-up
Watkins runs in behind
Fake low build-up : drawing out the press
Win the second balls
Vertical build-up
Watkins runs in behind
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