Line-Ups
Aston Villa (AV): in-possession 433 & out-of-possession 451
Sheffield United (SU): in-possession 352 & out-of-possession 532
More details on each team's shape, in and out of possession, and general observations below.
Aston Villa Observations
In-Possession = 433
AV focussed a lot of their possession, and therefore attacks, down their left hand side
Targett pushes high to help create space or a passing option for Grealish, either on the over or underlap
Hourihane also pushed over to the left hand side to again help occupy defenders to give Grealish more time and space with the ball
Konsa would hold a deeper position on the right hand side, as not a natural right back, therefore backed up play more as opposed to offering an overlap run for El Ghazi
This meant El Ghazi would often be outnumbered by the SU left back and left centre back
Davis, especially when AV had the ball in their own half, would run the channels to provide an out ball - this is also where the space was against SU as their wingbacks would be high up the pitch so on turnovers there was space to exploit in transition
Davis would often be chasing these balls into the channels so would need to compete physically with SU defenders to help get hold of the ball or win throw ins / freekicks - which he did well at
McGinn would push up from his inside right position and try to support both Davis + El Ghazi
Luiz was the midfield pivot and dropped deep to receive the ball of his centre backs and full backs and then helped build AV attacks from this deeper central position - he would also back-up play so that AV could always recycle possession if they could not pass forwards
Out-of-Possession = 451
Out-of-possession, AV dropped into a 451 shape
They were compact and their back four very narrow - defended the width of the box
Their wide midfielders / forwards (Grealish & El Ghazi) each had defensive responsibilities to ensure that AV were not outnumbered out wide
McGinn and Hourihane also helped provide defensive support out wide, shuffling out to help their full back and wide midfielder
As SU try to overload the wide areas when they are in possession, AV did a good job of denying SU opportunities to get to byline so were resorted to deeper crosses which AV central defenders were suited to deal with, as both good aerially
Davis' continuously provided an out ball for his teammates when they were in a low block
When AV won the ball back in their own defensive third and needed to clear their lines, Davis' running of channels + eagerness to compete in duels with SU defenders ensured that these 'clearances' did not come back immediately so the defensive line up could push up
Other Observations
When AV take corners, the taker will shout a colour like 'RED' or 'YELLOW' - I presume to indicate what type of delivery he aims to do and therefore what movements the team should make
Mings is very local and helps organise the team - not just from a defensive point-of-view - but in all phases e.g. where the central midfielders should play their next pass to or if another player needs to come help out a teammate who is needs a passing option
Sheffield United Observations
In-Possession = 352
SU's wingbacks hug the touchline when the team are in possession
The three centre backs often look for diagonal switches to the wingbacks - especially when possession is being built / kept on one side of the pitch and the wingback on the opposite side is in space
Norwood will maintain a central, deeper position and also be an option to retain or recycle possession and also hit diagonal switches out to a wide player
The other two central midfielders will get up and support the attack - both centrally and out wide - mainly offering underlapping runs into the channels for when the wingbacks have possession
A key feature of SU's attacking play is the combinations between players out wide
These combinations will involve the wingback, the wide central midfielders, the centre forward on that side and also very often the wide centre back who makes over and/or under lap runs
SU try to overload the wide areas to create crossing opportunities into the box, either from the byline for cut backs towards the penalty spot or from slightly deeper wide positions in their attacking third with out-swinging crosses to the far post
SU will try to get bodies into box for these crossing opportunities, especially the wingback on the opposite flank coming in at the far post
Sharp tends to stay central - and therefore always in the box - whereas the more mobile McBurnie does have license to operate either side of him to support play on both flanks
A key attacking outlet for SU is Basham's runs from deep - he would regularly provide an overlap or underlap run, and will be unmarked as spare man from the back - plus, he will push up high on the right hand side to also offer a recycle pass to ensure SU sustain their attacks in the AV half
Out-of-Possession = 532
SU predominantly get into a 532 mid-block shape out-of-possession with wing-backs (Baldock + Stevens) dropping to become full backs
SU would press high at times (triggers seemed to be AV backwards pass to a defender and/or goalkeeper + central midfielder dropping deep to get on ball in AV's defensive third)
(Another trigger would also be Chris Wilder barking 'RELEASE' at times he wanted his team to press the AV backline)
When Sheffield United did press high, the two centre forwards (Sharpe + McBurnie) would press the centre backs, whilst also both ensuring when either was the not the player actually engaging the player who had the ball they would angle their press to block the passing option to AV midfield pivot Luiz (it would therefore be a pivoted press)
The two centre forwards would also be supported in the high press by one of the wide central midfielders (either Lundstrum or Berge) depending on what side of the pitch the ball was on
For example, if AV were building possession from Mings (LCB) to Targett (LB) then Berge would press higher on the right flank and then vice versa, if Hause (RCB) pass out to Konsa (RB) then Lundsrum would press higher on the left flank
The two remaining SU central midfielders would then shift across more centrally to occupy central areas of the pitch
To ensure SU would not be left vulnerable in midfield when one of the wider central midfielders presses higher (as going from three central midfielders to two), the wing back on that side would push up the pitch to avoid AV playing an easy pass down the line to the AV wide player (who would naturally drop deeper to help his full back who is being pressed have a passing option)
When one of the SU wingbacks did push up higher up the pitch, the next automatic movements of the SU players would be that the wide centre back on that side would shift over to cover the space the wing back has vacated and the wing back on the opposite flank would then tuck in-field to provide SU a back four
The SU high press shape would resemble a lopsided 433
In a low-block, SU would be compact and have a flat back five
The wide central midfielder would support the wingback - who is now playing as a traditional full back - to ensure they do get overloaded out wide
Another feature of SU's low-block is that whilst both centre forwards would drop deeper, McBurnie tended to be the one who dropped further to help the central midfielders hold their position and not be drawn out to press, as he would be the one to press the man in possession (when central)
A final note on SU out-of-possession is that, in both a mid & low block, as they have three central defenders, the wide centre backs would at times push up tight to any players in the pockets to avoid them getting on the half-turn
Tactical Examples
Below is an example of SU in possession and an attacking tactic they often tried
Diagonal switch from Egan, who positions himself slightly deeper centrally, out to Baldock (RWB) who is hugging the touchline
AV players react by dropping into their low block shape
Hourihane shifts over to support Grealish and Targett to help protect against what SU often tried to do in these areas, get Basham on the overlap
SU try to get players into the box for any cross situation they do create although AV have numbers back to help defend a variety of situations (aerial crosses or cutbacks)
Result
Half-Time = 0 - 0
Full-Time = 0 - 0
Thank you for reading.
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