Premier League 2019/20: Aston Villa vs Chelsea – tactical analysis

The Premier League returned this week after three months of no games being played due to the pandemic. The return saw Chelsea travel to Villa Park to take on Aston Villa. Despite the season nearing a close, both teams still have a lot on the line in terms of their performances. Aston Villa are fighting to stay in the Premier League; before this match, they were 19th in the league, with 26 points. Chelsea, on the other hand, are for a Champions League spot, and before this match, they were in 4th place with 48 points. However, Manchester United (who had a game in hand) were only two points behind Chelsea.

Despite Aston Villa leading at half time, Chelsea were able to turn it around and this tactical analysis will look at how both teams set up tactically and show how Chelsea were able to go back to London with all three points. Despite Chelsea already being in the top four, this win strengthened their position, as they are now five points clear of Manchester United, and even if Manchester City win their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) and are able to compete in the Champions League next season, it will be fifth-place Manchester United who will reap the consequences.

Lineups

Dean Smith set up his side in a 4-5-1 formation according to Wyscout, with the hopes that the block of a midfield five would limit Chelseas build-up play. Ørjan Nyland was in goal, with a back four of Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Kortney Hause, and Matt Targett in front of him. In midfield, Douglas Luiz acted as the defensive midfielder, in the middle of the pitch with Conor Hourihane on his right, and John McGinn on his left. Jack Grealish and Anwar El Ghazi acted as the widest midfielders in the bank of five, however, most of the time, they were acting as pure wingers, and Villas formation looked more like a 4-3-3. Keinan Davis acted as Aston Villas sole striker.

Frank Lampard set up his Chelsea side in a 4-3-3 formation, with a back four of César Azpilicueta, Antonio Rüdiger, Andreas Christensen, and Marcos Alonso in front of Kepa Arrizabalaga. In midfield, Lampard opted for NGolo Kanté with Ruben Loftus-Cheek on his right and Mateo Kovačić on his left. A front three of Willian, Olivier Giroud, and Mason Mount lead the line.

Villa limit Chelsea at first

Aston Villa were first on the score sheet, with a goal in the 43rd minute from Hause, however, it was their defensive performance that was really impressive in the first half; it seemed that Smiths tactics to limit Chelseas build-up was working well.

Villa were organized in midfield, which forced Chelsea to constantly pass the ball back and forth, trying to find a breakthrough. A lot of Chelseas 76% possession in the first half was quite meaningless, as they struggled to penetrate, and have any big chances in the game.

Chelsea saw this as a problem and attempted to get their midfield involved, to try and break through Villas press/blocking of the forward passing lanes.

Chelseas pass map confirms that their possession was mostly passing between the back four, which can be shown by the thickness of the lines between the four, as well as the dot size confirming that they had the most touches.