How Unai Emery Made Aston Villa Champions League Contenders

[@chrisjamesbowen]

As a Villa fan I love seeing excited content around us. The “big” media companies will headline “Spurs dropped points to Villa” and never “Villa break to top 4”. The statistics and enthusiasm in this video is exactly the type of thing Villa deserve for what they have achieved since Uni has come in. The sleeping giants have woken! UTV💜💙

[@DrMaiXiang]

Same thing happening with Newcastle

[@car20801]

Well said 👍

[@elchinofatman1]

UTV bro

[@gagaape]

I don't even get the point of big media nowadays. Except maybe Henry and few others.

[@johncregg1159]

As a Villa fan I have to agree with your point sbout the media and their attitude to anybody out of the so-called top 6 for the last 20 years. However, I'm more than happy for it to stay that way and that we can quietly go about our improvement under the radar. As we know, the media are as quick to hype you up and then shoot you down with one slip up. So, let them continue with their bias while we have the opportunity to continue improving under Emery without becoming sucked into the superficial hype.

[@MathewDryhurst]

Sir Alex Ferguson said to watch out for Villa after they were smashed by Newcastle opening day. Game recognize game.

[@mustardking20]

The great thing about Unai is that you are not wrong, BUT Villa has played about 4-5 more tactics beyond just this. Against Totts they played a back three and used Cash and Digne as full-out wingbacks for a half only to bring on an 8 and a winger at half. Many games this season they played with the back four and had Kamara drop between the two CBs. Unai is as genius as he is flexible.

[@mintvilla2956]

Thats not true, we've never played 3 at the back with wing backs. We just play Konsa at RB. Its the same system.

[@Bulskee]

@@mintvilla2956tbf sometimes the DM, usually Kamara, will hold back but the majority of the time cash tucks in to make a back 3 and Kamara pushes up

[@dennisgoatimer1079]

Against Tottenham we never played a back 3 we played a back 4 and on defense Kamara came a bit back to help defend but Cash didn't know whether to tuck in or not he basically never hence he made pretty rash tackles Matty Rash if you will hence he had to come off.

[@mintvilla2956]

Amazing video, and nearly spot on. We don't switch around the back 3 when we make it. When cash plays RB, its Kamara who drops into the back 3, and then Mcginn switches to the DM role, so the front 5 will be both Digne and cash with Watkins Diaby & Zaniolo. However against Spurs, Wolves, Burnley & Liverpool, we played Konsa at RB, therefore Kamara stayed as DM and we make the 3 with Konsa, Carlos & Pau.

[@cellyszn20]

This actually makes more sense to not only go with the diamond shape but also too decide which full back bombs forward

[@connor4435]

@@cellyszn20it also helps since Cash is really good going forward in part due to him formerly being a winger

[@GarythB]

To be fair, Last season and earlier this season (at least until after Liverpool away)Cash, or Young when he played, was dropping back for left sided transitions when Moreno and Ramsay went forward. It’s definitely Kamara now, though we seem to have more variability in how we adjust depending on game state.

[@cellyszn20]

@@GarythB when Emery took over, I actually tweeted he will take Villa to next level. The players are there, he doesn’t have to rebuild like PSG or Arsenal, he can just get on with it like he has with Villarreal. I was called a madman. I was probs the only Arsenal fan that was begging for him to stay. But obviously the structure at Villa is better for him

[@robertstephenson3669]

As a member of the Hollywood Lions Club here in Los Angeles, CA - I love it - we’ve been languishing for so long and what Unai has done with this team is absolutely amazing. Not getting ahead myself but just love that Villa are an actual threat every week and such great football to watch! Thanks for the content!

[@RayzaNC]

Pau Torres is the key to this style as he's one of the best ball playing centre backs in Europe, he could easily be a quality midfielder if needed.

[@JohnLovesSpain]

Carlos is a great ball playing centre back too so double whammy at the back - UTV

[@Bulskee]

@@JohnLovesSpainmings, Konsa, Torres and Carlos are 4 champions league level centre backs

[@dennisgoatimer1079]

​@@Bulskeeyea they're all quality Lenglet is pretty good aswell

[@richardroberts957]

I noticed in the game v Warsaw Thursday that konsa can dribble past players aswell which is brilliant

[@sibell6813]

Awesome video 👏🏼 the way we’ve seen our team evolve under Emery has been nothing short of jaw dropping. Easily our best managerial appointment in my life time UTV

[@joebees21]

Fantastic to see all these videos about us. Unai is a genius because this isn't all he does. I've seen us play with a back 4 when we attack sometimes with Kamara dropping back into defense. More Villa content please! UTV!

[@georgedolman444]

This isnt the only tactic that unai uses neither. Ive never seen such a good manager at villa in my lifetime

[@darrenwoolley8433]

Brilliant video I'm very happy with how we are playing Unai Emery as completely transformed us we are definitely a better team since he took over. UTV

[@sisloan]

Unlike his time at Arsenal, Villa have no 'superstars'. The ego driven names won't buy in to being coached. They think they are too good for it. Excellent breakdown. I always enjoy watching none Villa fans say nice things about us.

[@jasperkohn6628]

Tielemans is no superstar but has the ego of one

[@UNAI.EMERY.]

Coutinho emi.martinez diaby are superstars but ok

[@captainhindsight6994]

​@@jasperkohn6628i think thats all bullshit. There were stories of him and emery falling out but i feel thats just media speculation. I get there would have been a conversation about his form earlier on but hes been so much better in recent weeks and all that talk of them falling out disappeared

[@connor4435]

@@jasperkohn6628clearly not, he’s been told his fitnesses isn’t good enough and he needs to change how he plays to get into the team and he’s fixed both of those things

[@connor4435]

@@UNAI.EMERY.Coutinho is gone, Martinez is still really humble and willing to listen (also helps that he’s the keeper so is less important), and whilst Diaby has the talent and price tag of a superstar he’s not really one, it’s not like he’s some regular baller getting into every France team or ever playing for the most elite clubs, he’s got 10 French caps and his career until now has been a psg young benchwarmer and a star man for a europa league/sometimes champions league level german side

[@NRSOGK]

Really informative video - thank you! Just a humble note, we've been without 4 first teamers since the start of the season who were integral to how we played last season. Emery has managed that and cracked on and the team have done incredible well in the face of that. Take four first teamers out of any other top side and, well, you'll never hear the end of it. ;)

[@alexmoreno5044]

SO bloody true... injuries to squads just happen. Like Villa: just get on with it !!

[@icedubas]

Just watched this - it aged well!

[@JasonV74]

It's nice to see someone in the media given Aston villa some real credit.

[@scottrothe7466]

I don't know why Emery isn't talked about in the same circles as Klopp and Guardiola. He is a serial winner.

[@Liquidator_10]

He can't coach egos.. thats why is not in the same circle

[@dennisgoatimer1079]

​@@Liquidator_10He can coach them he just never had the quality at Arsenal and he did well at PSG considering

[@leonmeyers7009]

I ❤️‍🔥 Adam’s explanations. So crisp 👍

[@cellyszn20]

Regarding the buy in point, you are right. Only Laca, Emi, Xhaka and Tierney actually did what he wanted.

[@Jgf802]

From a Villa fan thank you, seems no one wants to give us any credit, regarding our transfers, we got the final payment of grealish £33m sold archer £20m Aaron ramsey £16m £5m for biddace, and extra few quid for others total £85m then we bought diaby £45m -£50m Torres for £35m and tielemans on a free, so we didn’t actually spend a penny, looking forward to January if we are near to the top 5 I think we will go and sign one or two, look at previous windows, Douglas luiz £15m kamara free konsa £12m emi Martinez £17m McGinn £2.5m Watkins £30m cash £15m Moreno £13m all in the starting 11, we sold carney for £20m our business has been good, and with these owners and this manager we are progressing, we have a multiple systems like you’ve stated and it’s exciting to watch every week, UTV

[@Bulskee]

Well said. UTV!!!

[@darrin2382]

Carney was the best business ever. Sold the self appointed 'superstar' for e20m when he was worth e6m - now just worth e15 and hasn't played for Chelsea since August.

[@vilius3003]

"Defending is for nerds" 🤣 Love the Aston Villa that we have had since Unai came in to pull us out of the ashes. UTV

[@JToups]

Villa will occasionally employ another system, but same shape, where the DM (Kamara) will drop back and be the third CB on the attack, and one of the wide midfielders (McGinn) will tuck inside to form the double pivot, allowing both fullbacks to push up to provide width.

[@thewellandvalley2103]

Another feature not mentioned is how we drop Kamara into a back three when both full backs are bombing forward. Really effective in stretching the width and keeping numerical dominance in the middle.

[@XboneMalone]

Emery has done really well, showing just how a former Liverpool midfielder was so out of his depth. Mings' injury might have been a blessing in disguise given how seamlessly Torres had slotted in (think he's a big upgrade too). They're more likely to challenge this season than say Tottenham for the Champions League

[@dennisgoatimer1079]

I wouldn't say that Pau is great but he does have issues that Mings would sort out plus because of it we needed to bring in Lenglet which is more wages to pay

[@liamjenkins244]

Mings was on a whole new level under Emery, hard to say Torres is a *big* upgrade. Having two high caliber players competing for a spot is a good thing though.

[@roolaing]

I like how you spoke about the system more than the players. I got it. Well explained ✌️

[@amlmorris]

Great content mate, good too see Villa getting abit of credit for a change. Fair play!

[@johngameson9768]

We're catching loads of teams offside too Great vid m8 , Ta

[@MrTim207]

Up The Villa! Nice analysis, and loved the Brian Butterfield appearance 😂

[@nicholascharlesbamford]

Aston Villa scored 31 goals not 28. 28 is number of points.

[@samhallows3498]

Awesome analysis again. 🎉 No.1 analyst of football bar none.

[@MrGlynny]

Also - watch how Unai defers to Austin McPhee in the Tech area for set pieces - he trusts and empowers those around him. Top class. UTV !

[@tank9432]

Have you also noticed when villa have to defend deep they play 6-2-2? (See Brighton game)

[@mintvilla2956]

That does happen, but its barely happened this season, i saw it against chelsea and maybe a bit against Brighton, not really saw it elsewhere. I mean we scored 6 against Brighton so i wouldnt knock it lol

[@GarythB]

@@mintvilla2956yeah it’s mostly against possession heavy teams (I imagine we’ll see it against Arsenal and Man City in the next few weeks) particularly those that use inverting full backs, but there’s no point against lower block teams since the whole aim is to draw them forward in order to create space to pass into.

[@Bitmap888]

Great job, there’s a few another attacking power plays you missed that have destroyed teams , and also Kamara at times drops into Center back to form direct attacks from the defence, And with Bailey now on form Villa now play right wing weighted plays , Emery is a friggin genius. When you see the signings come in January villa will go up another level.

[@wordtouremother]

Good video, but you have the possessional system slightly out of date. Last season Cash would stay in the back 3 like you said, but after Moreno was injured at the start of the season it's Kamara who drops in the back 3, Mcginn comes inside and fullbacks high.

[@konzza]

Good ebening and thank you for a jolly fine video

[@Tomc_vodslam]

Unai Emery is the best Villa coach in my lifetime.

[@James-qp1xg]

I think Tottenham did really well playing wide the passing thru the back line one thing villa need to sort coming into man city and arsenal

[@heeeeeresrossy]

I thought this was gonna be a top10 when I noticed it was Adam 😂 Great to see you with a new channel young man 👍

[@stephenbell8349]

Also, Villa have had 136 offsides in the last year, next best is 93.

[@markbolger182]

This is the first Adam Cleary video I’ve watched that wasn’t Whatculture and even though I obviously knew it was a FourFourTwo video, I was still caught off guard for a split second when he said “I’m Adam Cleary from FourFourTwo” and not Whatculture.

[@veteransgamingpodcast]

Excellent analysis Sir!!!!

[@Gilly1989]

Came for the class analysis, stayed for the Butterfield!

[@RRP6632]

Mate: "High line for life baby!!" Gud ebening: "b*tch, I'll show you how a proper high line looks like

[@Zygmunt-Zen]

Arsenal supporter here. Always saw Villa as the penultimate midtable team. Emery has definately changed them for the better. Nice seeing the Clarets take point off Spurs and the like. Man U seem to enjoy the mediocre midtable role more recently, they can stay there.

[@skillen19]

Thanks for the praise. We don’t call ourselves the Clarets though, that’s Burnley

[@Zygmunt-Zen]

@@skillen19 The jerseys are really similar, honest mistake.

[@skillen19]

@@Zygmunt-Zen true, I don't know why we don't call ourselves the Clarets to be honest.

[@StephenJimson]

Love the channel! I do have a few questions regarding Villa's systems. On Saturday, 21/04/24, against Bournemouth, because of midfield injuries and suspensions, we had Tielemans and McGinn in the centre with Bailey and Diaby who are more natural wingers started. Did Unai change the systems for this match?

[@lukeharrison7879]

Good video, great edit!

[@mcguinnessav1980]

Subscribed ! Great vid UTV

[@the-arkk]

Loved this analysis

[@LG26]

Our high line is the most effective in the PL the stats don’t lie, spurs can go on about if they put their chances away ect they didn’t we did and won that’s the only stat that matters

[@RayzaNC]

To be fair to Spurs they're top off the offside goals league and that's all that really matters.

[@LG26]

@@RayzaNC sounds like they need better coaching

[@joeygb6657]

@@RayzaNC nice joke haha but dont think thats true,,,

[@Bulskee]

@@LG26their new manager had them top until 3 games ago and they have been the better team in 2/3 matches they lost. Even against Villa they were dominant in the first half

[@LG26]

@@Bulskee a football match is 90min not 45min

[@StephenSanders-j3i]

Superb piece. 👌

[@MrHotniks]

Ok, im about to go down the Brian Butterfield rabbit hole. Great video. UTV

[@Piqueblinders11]

You’re using the example of Emerson Royal and Ben Davies at CB…. Yeh it’s easy to score when you’re playing against no CB’s

[@nabazaheer]

I always liked Emery at Arsenal. He took a shit Arsenal team to Europa League Finals and one point shy of fourth in his first season at charge. Think bad apples like Ozil, Auba and Laca really hindered his chances. If the owners backed him like they back Arteta, he would have given us silverware. That being said, I think Arteta is a genius and is our Gaffer.

[@vincentbarwell5943]

Great vid but villa have 31 goals for not 28 so there tied for 2nd in that regard not 3rd.

[@shamsam69]

Great analysis 👍👍👍👍

[@tutornick]

Enjoyed the video... hopefully we can continue to go under the radar and embarrass more of the so called big 6 this season

[@Nobody-pj3bc]

Masterclass

[@tonypurnell7328]

Can we give any credit to Gerrard? I mean he brought in the transfers and didn’t really get time to let them gel before being terminated. I understand Unai is leagues above, but he got left a decent arsenal of players

[@NobbyWright]

13:41 a Dibu Martinez injury derails us.

[@NobbyWright]

Kamara drops to the RCB position an awful lot too.

[@1307PSON]

Great video!! UTV 💙 💜

[@mollyzyad778]

Is the tactic close to that of xavi's Barcelona 🤔

[@user-ed7et3pb4o]

The high turnover stat is funny (9:07) because didn’t Villa force more high turnovers out of City than they’ve had in a while? Villa were constantly winning the ball back in the final third. Which just goes to show that them not doing that more widely is a tactical choice, not a skill issue.

[@Labjunkie83]

Its great nobody is talkin about villa .. keep talkin about man u an spurs let us do our thing... UTV

[@wizardflaps]

This is the statistical rhetoric we've been waiting for. Great break down (I hope the opposition don't watch this). UTV!

[@silvesta5027]

I can’t believe Diaby left and plays in Saudi now 😔😔😔 He’s 25 what is he thinking?? (Money ik but still…)

[@the-arkk]

Please where did you get stats for direct attack in the premier league ?

[@smoosev89]

i think its worth mentioning Matty Cash should be suspended for injuring Bentancur

[@georgedolman444]

Cope 😂

[@GriffsUp]

Nice to see some real insight and tactical understanding. FootballJOE had Pau Torres in their worst transfer XI... 😂😂😂

[@kunimitsune177]

In what way are they champions league contenders? They haven't even come close to qualification yet.

[@Plymonk666]

Why do I get upset and worried watching this as a Newcastle Fan… worry? Fear? Competitiveness…? 2:30

[@juliusfugazi7758]

"He's actually using a 4-4-2". You clearly do not watch much football outside of England. Unai has used 4-4-2 several times during his career. At Sevilla and Villarreal he had great success with the 4-4-2.

[@RuachEden]

10 months on and we've just beaten Bayern with these tactics. Take a bow, Adam!

[@FourFourTwo]

@@RuachEden 🤝🏻

[@brock4291]

“As you know defending is for nerds” sent me 😂😂

[@virupakshawalla5734]

5 attacking 5 defending box .. same as everyone else then 😂😂

[@Bulskee]

It’s 5 across the oppositions 18 yards box

[@jonathanfrimerman8855]

This is how villa played in the 1980's

[@virupakshawalla5734]

Rice is going to eat Villa for his dinner.

[@goatfather5711]

P.S.G formation 4-4-2> 3-2-5

[@duyanhng8430]

omg it's the 325 again😅

[@smiley.6534]

Same as almost any top team tbh

[@gutika113]

Infuriating to watch Spurs absolutely batter them, still lose, then see this video the very next day 😩😮‍💨

[@Bulskee]

As a Villa fan I was worried after the first half. The stats didn’t even tell the full story. We were getting battered. But with all those missed chances you could see it coming. Villa will always create chances and usually take them!

[@dennisgoatimer1079]

In the first half we got battered in the second half it was a different story the two subs we did at the start of the half and Bentacur having to be subbed in the first half made a huge difference

[@satusendok5292]

Goals For should be 31

[@hssIceland]

I think out of Villa, Newcastle, Spurs and Man Utd then Villa do have the best squad and manager but I still think for any one of these teams to get champions league (assuming City, Arsenal and Liverpool are top 3) they are all reliant on the other teams to slip up. Good news for Villa is that all those other teams are more likely to slip up, be that because of unrest among the squad and seemingly a lack of leadership (Man Utd) or injuries in key areas and just over reliance on certain players (Newcastle and Spurs) or "Ange ball" which I don't think is sustainable over an entire season in the Prem, Spurs injury problem will get worse if he stick to that way of playing week in week out. Having said that I do think that IF Watkins picks up a knock that sidelines him for any amount of time that could be difference between top 4 and not for Villa.

[@Bulskee]

Duran has looked great up front so given a chance he will bang. But Ollie is crucial for us!

[@Stewberto]

Don’t think using a depleted Tottenham team was the best example, especially since they got outplayed for the majority of the game. But overall I agree Emery has done well, don’t think they’ll get UCL but Europa is on the cards. Edit : I DONT HATE EMERY, I RATE HIM & THINK VILLA WILL MAKE EUROPA JUST DONT GET HOW THIS GAME IS A “MASTERCLASS” WHEN TOTTENHAM SHOULD HAVE BEEN 5-0 BY HALF TIME. ALL I TOOK FROM THE GAME IS I MISS HARRY KANE💔.

[@dharris-rd2md]

100% only reason villa didn’t lose yesterday was luck

[@jimbobbean5845]

Villa played bad and still won. Says a lot in my opinion. Sign of a good team. Just saying. 😬🦁

[@jamesrowell9306]

@@jimbobbean5845 he has more points so far than Klopp and is marginally behind what Pep did in the same time frame. What he is doing is unbelievable.

[@Stewberto]

@@jimbobbean5845 The win wasn’t based on villa “sticking in the game” if spurs took their chances in the first half they’d have been 5-0 up. Games like yesterday show how much they’re going to miss Harry Kane.

[@ahkwaheart]

​@@Stewbertogames like yesterday show teams have slumps. not every game is going to have perfect finishing.

[@RuffRides]

DON'T TELL EVERYONE FFS!!!!!! UTMV!!!

[@mrhamoodi26]

Isn't this just given other managers how to stop us or am I being stupid😂

[@dennisgoatimer1079]

Even if they come to stop us Emery can change it on the fly anyway

[@RoyJoyce873]

*Champions League qualifying contenders

[@maxgreen9967]

villa was outplayed for 60 minutes and hardly looked in the game. they are lucky not to have come away with a 4-2 loss against a second string spurs team. yea they are doing great, but some perspective is needed here.

[@joebees21]

You don't know football. The first half Spurs were in control because they played explosive football from the first whistle. The second half Emery made some tactical changes and the Spurs players got tired. They didn't put their chances away and fell for our offside trap constantly. I've said it once and I'll say it again - Ange ball isn't sustainable and Villa haven't played with our first team all season. We've had Mings, Moreno, Ramsey and Buendía out the whole time and you don't see anyone complaining like Spurs do.

[@_ZR11_]

​@@joebees21exactly this. Mans probably watched a 3 minute highlight reel and has a full match analysis. Lol

[@joebees21]

@@_ZR11_ Makes me laugh that they've been decent for 10 games and now they think they're title challengers. We've beat them 3 times in a row now and they think they're better 😂. Postecoglou will be found out.

[@maxgreen9967]

@@joebees21 if villa were so good why were they played off the park for 60 minutes by a 2nd string spurs?

[@joebees21]

@@maxgreen9967 If Spurs played Villa off the park why did all 3 points go to Villa? Spurs are that shit they can't even beat a weakened Villa that's playing shit at home.

[@virupakshawalla5734]

Arsenal are getting relegated by direct attack league lol. It sounds like countrr attack? Emery is doing a great job may het top 4 but doubt it. 5th may get CL helos his cause but if Man U and Newcastle go out will we get 5 ?

[@georgedolman444]

*title contenders

[@darth6466]

We're being exposed 😂😢

[@24lled41]

FFS. sshhhhhh!!

[@United_Wings]

GG

[@TretTret-d4k]

Bentancur crippled... Ye they are champions league quality alright ... Or just another Wimbledon we all want relegated asap?????!

[@bobbydsj]

This is what ten hag was trying to do, beware the camel

[@cellyszn20]

when Emery took over, I actually tweeted he will take Villa to next level. The players are there, he doesn’t have to rebuild like PSG or Arsenal, he can just get on with it like he has with Villarreal. I was called a madman. I was probs the only Arsenal fan that was begging for him to stay. But obviously the structure at Villa is better for him

[@AJ-qv1rs]

Villa rode their luck at times and against Spurs reserve team, could've been behind by 3 at the half....

[@herrzyklon]

You say that, but Ollie Watkins was onside from one angle and offside from the other. Also just missed a header, an inch wide.

[@joebees21]

Villa could've been up 3 as well.

[@joebloggs6922]

Villa have had 4 first team players out for the entire season yet nobody talks about that........ Also it was villas clever defensive high line that kept son offside for the entire game not just luck

[@OserojiemenKing]

Meanwhile, EtH can't play good football (after 2 preseasons and £400m) because the players (HE BOUGHT) can't play it. Here come the United fans.

[@Johndoe-gf7eu]

Had to laugh at this after he beat emery twice😂😂all ur comments are about united you are so bitter

[@sunoolee9467]

The one thing Villa have going against them is their lack of squad depth. Getting similar vibes to when Leicester bottled Top Four two seasons in a row.

[@RayzaNC]

We have been making 3 or 4 changes most weeks in Europe and still winning while we have Ramsey, Moreno & Traore all coming back from injury, plus we will surely sign one or two more in January.

[@joebloggs6922]

​@@RayzaNCDon't forget buendia!!!

[@joebloggs6922]

This is our squad depth mate. We have four first teamers out for the season and have still had the depth to rotate players during mid week European games. Once they are back we will have genuinely insane squad depth. We have like 4 centre backs who, when fit, are all worthy of a starting space and it's the same in midfield once buendia and Ramsey are back.

[@aaronhackett5889]

Defending is for nerds.

[@Suavellous]

Literally only just beat a second string spurs team and they didn’t deserve to win that😂

[@lapprentice]

Emery: "easy piece of cake. Imma turning Villa to Villains, telling Cash, Kamara to play it rough and tackle injuries out of the opponents main players" Easy wins.

[@ryanc9754]

😂 yeah I'm sure he told them that

[@dennisgoatimer1079]

It wasn't that bad of a challenge but there's only a one letter difference from Villans to Villains sooo