Line-Ups
Aston Villa (AV): in-possession 4312 (midfield diamond) & out-of-possession 4312
Wolverhampton Wanderers (WOL): in-possession 352 & out-of-possession 532 / 5311
More details on each team's shape, in and out of possession, and general observations below.
Aston Villa Observations
In-Possession:
Davis and Samatta attacked spaces down the sides of WOL back three in transition as that's where the space was with WOL wingbacks pushing high up the pitch when they had the ball
In controlled spells of possession, Davis and Samatta would often position themselves outside of the WW three centre backs (in the space between the wide centre back and wingback)
The reasons for this looked to be to try and a) stretch WOL back three and create pockets of space for Grealish to exploit in the half spaces and b) pin WOL wingbacks back in flat back 5 which created space in deeper half spaces / wide areas for AV to maintain possession via their fullbacks or wide midfielders (or Grealish when he roamed out to find space)
AV wide central midfielders (Hourihane & Nakamba - who would rotate sides) would push out towards the half spaces / wide areas to help control possession as that's where space was when WOL were in a low block
When WOL wide central midfielder (Dendonker as RCM & Moutinho as LCM) did jump out to press AV wide midfielder or full back in these deeper half spaces / wide areas, then Grealish would try to get into the vacated space behind to receive the ball
Due to importance of the game (AV fighting relegation at the time) their fullbacks were more cautious in-possession and held slightly deeper positions - even Targett the more natural fullback compared to Konsa at RB
The above point however meant that AV were unable to create any real overload situations
Therefore even when AV were able to create a bit of space for Grealish in half spaces (which did not happen often) then WOL regularly had a spare man to quickly get to him - whether a central midfielder shuffling across or defender jumping out
WW allowed AV spells of possession but it was all in front of their defensive shape - WW did a good job of denying spaces between-the-lines (for Grealish) and behind them (for the runs of two CFs)
Below is a visual example of the standard in-possession shape for AV (and standard out-of-possession shape for WW)
This visual highlights a) where the space was against the WW low block (yellow boxes), b) how the cautious positioning of their back four denied any overload opportunities in the final third for AV and c) how congested it was for Grealish between-the-lines
Out-of-Possession:
AV mainly got into a mid and low block without the ball
Grealish looked like his job was to get near Neves and prevent him being able to dictate play
When AV did attempt to pressure WOL in their build up, then one of their wide central midfielders would push up against the centre back on their side
For example, if Boly (RCB for WOL) had the ball then Hourihane (often LCM for AV) would push up to press him with Davis & Samatta pressing the other two WOL centre backs
As WOL wingbacks positioned themselves very high and wide in possession then AV fullbacks would go out to press them
This meant that AV wide central midfielders would also need to cover the gap created between their fullback and centre backs as big space for WOL to exploit (which they tried to often - see WOL observations below for more details on that)
Wolverhampton Wanders Observations
In-Possession:
In deeper build up play, WOL wide centre backs spread wide with Coady dropping slightly deeper
As Coady would not be pressed he had lots of time to pick passes - his most common pass was a long diagonal ball towards their wingbacks
In possession, WOL wingbacks automatic movements would be to push higher up the pitch and hug the touchline
WOL wingbacks would help drag AV fullbacks into wide areas which created gaps between the AV fullback and centre back
WOL would look to exploit this space on the right hand side with Dendonker making runs in-between and on the left hand side with Jota
Dendonker posed a defensive problem for Hourihane throughout the first half as in controlled spells of possession for WOL - when AV would get into a mid / low block - he would position himself behind Hourihane who would not know whether to drop or stay in his defensive position
This positioning from Dendonker between-the-lines also caused problems for both Mings and Targett whose own defensive jobs were to focus on Jimenez and Doherty respectively
Below is a visual example of the positioning Dendonker would take up to disorganise the AV defensive shape (it also shows the standard in-possession shape for WW and the standard out-of-possession shape for AV)
These advanced positions Dendonker took up ultimately helped contribute to the winning goal in the game - following a WOL attack, the ball fell free to Dendonker on the edge of the area who managed to get a shot away and score
Another attacking tactic from WOL was the combination play between Jimenez and Jota - often involving opposite movements
A regular tactic from the duo would be Jimenez dropping between-the-lines to show for the ball (to drag out an AV centre back) and then Jota making a run behind the defensive line (into the space that the AV centre back has vacated)
When WOL had possession in their own third, Moutinho would often drop into deeper left back space to receive the ball and try to play passes from there - either into Jonny at LWB or Jota who would be positioned between-the-lines in the left half space
Out-of-Possession:
Without the ball, WOL would get into a compact 532 mid block shape
When AV progressed the ball into the middle third the WW wingbacks would get in line with the three centre backs to make a back five
Their wide central midfielders (Dendonker & Moutinho) would be tasked with shuffling out to the flanks to pressurise the man on the ball as they progressed into WOL half
When in a low block, Jota would drop deeper than Jimenez to make a 5311 shape and put pressure on Nakamba who was AV central midfield pivot
WOL aimed to deny AV, and more specifically Grealish, space between-the-lines
Result
Half-Time = 0 - 0
Full-Time = 0 - 1
Thank you for reading.
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