Aston Villa Vs Manchester United [2–1] – Premier League 2025/2026: A Top-4 Statement Built On Pressure – Tactical Analysis

Aston Villa hosted Manchester United at Villa Park and were able to beat the Red Devils with a 2-1 final score.

Aston Villa continue climbing the standings of the Premier League thanks to this win as they are now holding the third spot with 36 points, only three points away from the top team in the standings.

The team is actually getting some unexpectedly very positive results and are getting rewarded for their convincing performances especially against the top teams, knowing that they have only lost three games so far.

Aston Villa can believe in battling for the title and keep striving for positive results, as they have the ability to do so.

And although lifting the title might be a little bit complicated in the long run, achieving one of the top four spots at the end of the season would be an achievement in itself, guaranteeing UEFA Champions League football next season.

On the other hand, Manchester United keep dropping points as they now sit in seventh place with 26 points, two points behind the fourth-placed holders.

This means that hopes still exist of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season.

However, Manchester United will have to start limiting their points losses.

This tactical analysis focuses on Aston Villa’s exploitation of Manchester United’s defensive weaknesses and on what went wrong for the Red Devils both defensively and on the attack.

Aston Villa Vs Manchester United Lineups & Formations

Unai Emery started the match in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Emiliano Martínez as the goalkeeper, and a defensive line of Ezri Konsa and Victor Lindelöf as centre-backs, Matty Cash at right-back, and Ian Maatsen at left-back.

The midfield duo consisted of Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara.

John McGinn and Morgan Rogers were the two wingers, with Youri Tielemans playing as an advanced playmaker behind the striker, Ollie Watkins.

On the other hand, Rúben Amorim started the match in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Senne Lammens as the goalkeeper and a defensive line of Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, and Luke Shaw as centre-backs.

The midfield featured Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes as central midfielders, with Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu as wing-backs.

Upfront, Manchester United relied on both Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha as advanced playmakers behind the striker, Benjamin Šeško.

Aston Villa Attacking Strengths & Manchester United Continuous Defensive Issues

Aston Villa were extremely good at applying pressure on Manchester United’s defensive and first midfield line in an attempt to block their already-slow build-up process and therefore limit their attacks and also win counter-attacking opportunities.

Aston Villa’s high-pressing system has been very efficient and disruptive to opponents this season, and they continued to confirm this during this match as well.