If Villa are going to become more difficult to beat (especially Away) they need to improve on these areas (summed up by this early chance for Wilson):
• Winning physical duels (Dendoncker) #1
• Tracking full backs (Bailey) #2
• Marking in the box (mix up w/ Konsa & Cash) #3/4
#NUFC’s press reminds me of peak Liverpool under Klopp. They always have at least 2 players around the ball.
Their team is very nicely balanced.
Their front 3 work hard (especially their Wide FWds) whilst their 8s are very athletic. And Guimaraes is super smart tactically.
When you watch NUFC the lack of technical quality (compared to the Champions League sides) is still evident.
What Eddie Howe is getting out of these players is amazing.
They each know their role within the formation, work extremely hard & react quickly on transition.
Doing the basics well (plus +’ve results) really has given confidence to the likes of Longstaff/Almiron.
The team run & cover for each other + they are solid/a threat from set pieces. The individual quality they do have (Guimaraes/Wilson/Tripper) then helps make the difference.
The playing style, philosophy & principles are now in place for NUFC to have a successful season whilst slowly increasing the technical quality in key positions.
With the resources they now have this should be a worry for the rest of the Champions League teams..
This is a nice shot of how NUFC play - and how they drag the opposition towards their LHS.
• Burn plays deep alongside Botman/Schar. This means the opposition winger generally plays high.
•Joelinton/Willock rotate & the 8 plays higher than Longstaff.
• Longstaff drops closer to Guimaraes which allows Trippier to push on with Almiron moving inside (forcing the opposition’s LB to come narrow).
NUFC had 2v1 against Ings. Botman stepping forwards dragged out Dendoncker, creating space for Joelinton (Burn attracting Watkins).
Joelinton receives between the lines, passes to Willock & then attacks the space between CB & RB. This forces Dendoncker into Villa’s back line (creating a back 5 & isolating Luiz in Midfield).
Bailey then comes narrow to offer support. This frees up Tripper and NUFC are in.
This is how NUFC pressed high (GKs). Wilson dropped onto Luiz with Joelinton & Almiron narrow.
Willock & Longstaff cover the oppos full backs.
You can see why having athletic, hard working Wide FWDs & CMs is key to Newcastle’s tactical approach. They cover a lot of ground.
It’s so interesting when you compare Aston Villa to Newcastle Utd. There are lots of similarities. The money they have spent in recent windows, recently appointing DoFs, trying to break into the top 6 (at least) etc.
Even down to the captaincy. Lascelles is still club captain but doesn’t start. Look how Eddie Howe handled that situation in comparison to Steven Gerrard & Mings.
Newcastle Utd’s recruitment has focused on their defence & spine (Guimaraes/Isak). They have added Size & quality.
Another nice illustration of NUFC’s shape.
Trippier high with Almiron inside. They now have a front 2 which can occupy a back 4 (if they play between CB & FB). Joelinton stays wide & is found by an excellent pass from Schär (whose distribution is very good).
To hurt NUFC teams need to attack the space in front of their back 4 (as Guimaraes presses forwards) & around Trippier (in behind him or on his inside, from crosses).
Villa do that nicely in this example. Bailey runs in behind & Buendia finds the space. Poor/overhit pass from LB
Villa caused NUFC some problems (good chances for Buendia/Watkins missed kick) but NUFC were the better team.
The best teams make this run ⬇️
This run between CB & FB causes a 4-2-3-1 big problems. Luiz goes out & now Villa have little protection on the edge of the box.
For NUFC’s opening goal the run from Joelinton (between CB & FB) drags Dendoncker into the back line. Luiz is now isolated & Newcastle eventually find their way through & out to Almiron on the opposite side.
Hand ball. 1-0.
That run between CB & FB = most effective run in ⚽️
Nice corner routine for NUFC’s second goal.
Almiron runs short, dragging 2 Villa players with him. He delays & back heels for Trippier.
Wilson & Burn started around the GK & have a 2v1 in the centre of the 6 yard box.
Poor from a Villa perspective..leaving their CF unmarked
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