u/FaustRPeggi

Tonight is our biggest game since the play-off final. A European semi-final for the first time since the days of Clough. How do we match up to our Midlands rivals ahead of this one?

I'm assuming we've gone with a 4-4-2 again, and Villa have gone with their usual formation. If that's not the case, you can disregard all of this.

The key battle-grounds:

Villa's danger zones

Watkins stretches the play and is always a tireless runner. He'll aim to occupy Jair and Milenkovic.

Villa's trio behind Watkins will sit deep and be compact, aiming to create space to exploit between our defence and midfield. It's this space where Buendía, McGinn, and especially Rogers are so dangerous. They're all excellent on the turn, strong ball carriers, and very dangerous shooting from range.

Anderson and Sangaré will be up against three narrow attacking players at times, and it'll be crucial that our fullbacks Aina and Williams pick their moments to jump into this space. If they get it wrong, and our two wide attacking midfielders are caught sleeping, then Villa's fullbacks will be clean through.

4-4-fucking-2

When we win the ball back in defensive areas through the imperious ballwinning of Anderson and Sangaré, our task will be to find Chris Wood, Hutchinson, or Gibbs-White with quick vertical passes through the centre. They can then find a pass to the winger, with Igor Jesus set free. Our counters will be crucial.

Vitor will have to decide between playing to our new-found attacking strength, and ensuring that these areas where Villa have scored so many long range goals from this season are kept covered.

I'm expecting a cagey affair. 2-0 to the Reds because Igor Jesus walks on the Trent.

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