Aston Villa FC

The act of receiving the ball to feet has become almost second nature. From grassroots football to the professional elite, this pass-to-feet dynamic has evolved into the base unit of build-up play. In this tactical analysis, we will examine how this stylistic evolution is reshaping attacking behaviour across modern systems....

Morgan Rogers is an English talent who climbed the ranks of the England academy system, starting from West Bromwich Albion before making a £4.4m transfer from the U18 West Brom team to the U23 Manchester City team. It's a hefty price to pay for a youngster who hasn’t played in...

The 2024/2025 Premier League season has become a tactical battleground where vertical progression and transitional threat are redefining success at the top level — this data analysis explains exactly how. In this data analysis report, we focus on how Liverpool, under new coach Arne Slot, have reclaimed their dominance with...

Despite very nearly completing a dramatic comeback, Aston Villa’s 2024/2025 UEFA Champions League journey has officially come to an end versus Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain. Les Parisiens are increasingly looking like strong contenders for this season’s European Cup but face stiff competition in the next round from an Arsenal side...

The UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa was a fascinating encounter of contrasting tactical philosophies between 2 Spanish managers, Luis Enrique vs Unai Emery. Luis Enrique's PSG utilised a fluid and adaptable 4-3-3 setup, which was a testament to their quality. In contrast, Unai...

Liverpool will almost certainly be in next season’s UEFA Champions League mix (with only mathematics preventing that from being a definite) and look highly likely to be joined by Arsenal. However, the race to secure the final two guaranteed places (and potentially any additional spots, should England maintain its strong...

The competition intensifies on all fronts in the Premier League over time as we gradually approach the finish line. The competition we're referring to is not only for the title or relegation but also for qualification to European competitions. It’s enough to know that the gap between fourth place and...

These are heady days for Aston Villa fans. Their team currently sits eighth in the Premier League. On their return to Europe's premier competition, they are through to the last 16 of the Champions League after a top-eight finish in the table (thereby avoiding the play-off round). They also advanced...

Jhon Durán started his career at Envigado in the Colombian league before moving to Chicago Fire in the MLS. On January 23, 2023, during the 2022/23 season, Aston Villa bought the striker for €16.64m when his market value was just €6m. Now, the 21-year-old is valued at €40m per Transfermarkt...

The last few years have seen Aston Villa send several players on loan or sell to the EFL.  This includes Finn Azaz, who is currently at Middlesbrough after being permanently sold to the Championship club during the January window last season.  Azaz caught the attention of several people when he...

Set pieces are becoming increasingly important, attracting the attention of coaches, analysts and fans worldwide. This has led to the emergence of several concepts related to blocking or hindering the opponent: the “block” and the “screen”.  Here, we define each term: 1) The block involves an attacking player positioning himself...

The last few years have seen Aston Villa send several players on loan or sell to the EFL.  This includes Finn Azaz, who is currently at Middlesbrough after being permanently sold to the Championship club during the January window last season.  Azaz caught the attention of several people when he...

Set pieces are becoming increasingly important, attracting the attention of coaches, analysts and fans worldwide. This has led to the emergence of several concepts related to blocking or hindering the opponent: the “block” and the “screen”.  Here, we define each term: 1) The block involves an attacking player positioning himself...

Set pieces have become an integral part of football, leading coaches, analysts, and even fans to become deeply passionate about all aspects related to them. Fans might come across a clip showcasing a brilliant set piece execution that leaves them impressed, prompting them to share it with their friends and...

Matchday two of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League is complete, and it was a whirlwind of action and surprises. Our tactical analysis shares the best formations and plays from Champions League week two, delving into what worked and what didn't. This is part two of a series on the 2024/25...

The Decline Of 2 Striker Partnerships In Football The tactical evolution of football has seen a decrease in strike partnerships, particularly at the top level. Over the years, we’ve been spoiled with iconic Premier League duos such as Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton, Sir Kenny...

Whilst there have still been a handful of one-sided matches during its opening few weeks, it is fair to say that the 2024/25 WSL season could be quite a close-run affair, with just one of the 12 teams sitting on maximum points after three weeks and every side having something...

The Decline Of 2 Striker Partnerships In Football The tactical evolution of football has seen a decrease in strike partnerships, particularly at the top level. Over the years, we’ve been spoiled with iconic Premier League duos such as Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton, Sir Kenny...

The 2024/2025 UEFA Champions League season marks the continuation of the tournament's prestige, featuring 36 clubs from various European leagues. This year, the competition structure has evolved, creating more opportunities for teams to progress while adding a layer of complexity to the group stages, as we will see in this...

Aston Villa FC have undertaken a significant recruitment rebuild this summer, strategically focusing on data analysis and statistics to strengthen their squad for the upcoming 2024/25 EPL season. With a clear ambition to secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League, the club has leveraged a comprehensive approach to data,...