Aston Villa’s Tactical Transformation Under Unai Emery: 2023-24 Analysis
Aston Villa have emerged as one of the Premier League’s most compelling stories during the 2023-24 season. Under the astute guidance of Unai Emery, Villa have surged into contention for a top-four finish and even maintained proximity to the league summit. This comprehensive tactical analysis explores the structures, key personnel, and core principles that have powered Villa’s impressive campaign so far.
Defensive Solidity: Central to Villa’s Success
At the heart of Villa’s improvement lies Emery’s unwavering commitment to defensive organization. The team mainly operates within a 4-4-2 setup, though variations resembling a 4-2-3-1 are occasionally seen based on personnel and phase of play.
The defensive line boasts remarkable cohesion, achieved despite the early-season injury to Tyrone Mings. Signings like Pau Torres and Diego Carlos brought stability, but standout performer Ezri Konsa epitomizes Villa’s defensive resilience with excellent one-on-one defending and occasional adaptability as a right-back.
Key to this defensive unit’s success is the influence of Boubacar Kamara in midfield and, above all, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Martinez’s shot-stopping, dominance in the box, and leadership have made him a pillar of reliability. Statistically, only a select few Premier League goalkeepers have prevented more goals per 90, while his success in dealing with crosses and involvement as a “sweeper keeper” reinforce his elite status.
Fullbacks also play crucial roles. Lucas Digne’s early-season performances have kept Alex Moreno out of the starting eleven, providing thrust on the left, while Matty Cash’s role on the right alternates between full defensive focus and joining attacks as needed. This versatility ensures Villa’s back four remain resolute but capable of flexibly supporting offensive transitions.
Midfield and Attack: Balance, Energy, and Creativity
Villa’s midfield, a source of both defensive cover and attacking inspiration, is anchored by Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara. Luiz, in particular, has evolved from defensive support to a dynamic box-to-box presence, combining creativity, ball recovery, and goal-scoring ability. The partnership between Luiz and Kamara has given Villa security in the centre while providing a springboard for attacking moves.
In the wide areas and attacking midfield, Unai Emery has leaned on the energy and intelligence of players like Jacob Ramsey and John McGinn. McGinn, known for his relentless movement and adaptability, often inverts to bolster the midfield or press high, while Leon Bailey’s creativity on the flanks adds a direct threat.
Up front, Ollie Watkins has cemented himself not only as Villa’s focal point but as one of the Premier League’s standout strikers. With nine goals and six assists in 18 games, Watkins combines goal-scoring, work rate, and link play, contributing to virtually every major Villa attack. Summer addition Moussa Diaby has offered further dynamism, frequently operating centrally alongside Watkins or driving through the channels from wide positions.
Villa’s Attacking Patterns and Transitions
Emery’s Villa are adept at both controlled build-up and explosive counter-attacks, making them one of the league’s most versatile offensive units. The team maintains an average of 54% possession—ranking eighth in the league—allowing for both intricate possession play and rapid transitions.
The build-up phase often starts with Pau Torres, an assured ball-carrier, and Ezri Konsa, known for composure under pressure. Douglas Luiz frequently orchestrates play from deep, linking defense to attack. Yet, Villa’s forwards, especially Watkins, excel at utilizing open spaces—making runs into the channels and stretching opposition defenses.
Lucas Digne and Douglas Luiz’s proficiency in diagonal and long passes ensures Villa can switch play quickly and move directly toward goal when opportunities arise. In attacking transitions, the focus is on exploiting wide areas and releasing the pace of McGinn, Diaby, and Watkins, while powerful carriers like Jacob Ramsey use the centre to break lines and launch counter-attacks.
Late runs from fullbacks, particularly Digne, add another layer, while Villa’s proficiency at set-pieces and their spread of goal-scorers make them a constant threat in the final third.
Defensive Structure and Off-the-Ball Discipline
Unai Emery’s legacy as a tactician is built around defensive discipline, a trait now synonymous with Aston Villa. In their 4-4-2 defensive shape, Villa employ a hybrid of zonal compactness and selective man-marking. The midfield four, supported by the front two, are diligent in screening passes and restricting central progression, forcing opponents wide or into errors.
Unlike sides who relentlessly press high up the pitch, Villa prioritize limiting passing lanes and maintaining shape. This results in opponents often being forced into long balls, where Villa’s organized high line and Martinez’s alertness frequently catch attackers offside. This tactical awareness is evidenced by Villa leading the league in offsides induced.
Even when opponents target Villa’s left flank—which is marginally less dynamic defensively—the defensive structure and Martinez’s sweeping ensure high resistance to counter-attacking threats. Defensive transitions are robust, largely due to Konsa’s athleticism, Kamara’s positioning, and Martinez’s ready involvement outside his penalty area.
The double-pivot of Luiz and Kamara in midfield further protects the back line, while tactical flexibility allows Villa to respond to different attacking scenarios without compromising defensive integrity. Fullbacks quickly recover their positions during counter-pressing situations, ensuring the team’s shape is rarely disrupted.
Set-Piece Threat and Final Third Impact
Villa’s attacking potency is further enhanced by their set-piece routines. With technically proficient takers and aerial threats in defense and midfield, they consistently pose problems from corners and free kicks. The variety in goal scorers—from defenders like Torres to midfielders like Luiz and forwards such as Watkins—makes Villa’s attack multifaceted.
The team’s ability to combine intricate short passing moves with sudden switches to direct, vertical play gives them unpredictability and edge in the final third.
The Road Ahead: Villa’s Ambitions Under Emery
Aston Villa’s remarkable form under Unai Emery is more than a fleeting run—it’s the product of rigorous tactical discipline, astute signings, clarity in roles, and a cohesive squad. While a Premier League title challenge may be a daunting prospect given the strength of rivals, Villa’s transformation into a force capable of challenging the top teams appears sustainable.
Emery’s experience in European competitions and track record for tactical adaptability bode well for continued progress. The future is promising for Aston Villa, whose performances this season have already surpassed many expectations and re-established their reputation as a club on the rise in English football.
