Unai Emery’s tactics dissected – what went right and wrong
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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is hailed as a tactical mastermind and he made some big calls before and during his side’s high-octane Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash in Paris. So what did he get right and what went wrong? And what will he change for the return leg?
Right-back problems in Paris
The duel between Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Matty Cash was always going to be pivotal, and it proved a serious issue for Villa. Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian sensation, attacked Cash from the start and his direct running caused all sorts of problems.
When Cash was booked in the 18th minute for a foul on the winger, it felt like a big blow for the full-back and his team. With Cash running the risk of being sent off, and Kvaratskhelia growing in stature as the game went on, Emery had no option but to substitute him at half-time.
Replacing him with Chelsea loanee Axel Disasi, Emery’s hopes of nullifying PSG’s threats on the flanks did not pay off. Disasi was sent to the shops for Kvaratskhelia’s brilliant goal and was frequently exposed thereafter.
Who to pick to play at right-back in the second leg on Tuesday will be high on Emery’s list of problems. The issue is that Kvaratskhelia is one of the best in the world right now. Any defender will face a chastening evening.
Torres over Mings paid off
One surprise decision made by Emery was to give Spanish centre-back Pau Torres only his fourth appearance this year in such a crucial match.
Torres is highly admired by Emery but has endured an injury-plagued campaign, restricting his appearances. Yet the £31 million signing from Villarreal was chosen ahead of Tyrone Mings and it was a selection that paid off in the main.
Torres is a fine passer in tight spaces, but it was his defending and composure that helped prevent the rampant home team from building an even greater lead. There was one crucial block in the final minutes to deny PSG substitute Warren Zaïre-Emery that was outstanding. The third PSG goal still felt like a significant blow, though, and Torres will be desperately needed for a towering performance at Villa Park.
Forward thinking
Marcus Rashford knocked PSG out of the Champions League five years ago with Manchester United but this was a night where he never really threatened. Rashford played the full 90 minutes, with England international Ollie Watkins not introduced until the final stages. Watkins has struggled with injury in recent weeks, but remains Villa’s most potent centre-forward and his return for the second leg seems likely.
Rashford’s best Villa performances have been from off the bench, so Emery’s plan may be to keep the rematch tight before introducing his quick attackers late in the contest. Marco Asensio was a substitute here against his parent club, but, with Villa requiring goals, he will be a serious option next week. Asensio has vast experience of these occasions and, perhaps crucially, knows how PSG play.
Trying to open up against PSG could be fatal
The expectation is that Villa will have to fight fire with fire next week, but Emery will be aware of the risks involved. Opening up against a team packed with as many stellar attacking talents would be a gamble, especially when the first goal will be crucial.
PSG invited Villa to attack them towards the end of the first leg before ruthlessly stretching them on the counter-attack to score the third. Emery will spend long hours analysing this performance to work out how to approach the second leg. For him, the objective is clear: “We have to win at home and by more than one goal.” Sounds easy, right?
Emery’s greatest test yet but don’t write him off
PSG are one of the favourites to lift the trophy and most neutrals would now expect the Ligue 1 champions to coast through to the last four. After staging their very own “goal of the month” competition on Wednesday night, it is difficult to envisage them not scoring at Villa Park next Tuesday.
A 2-1 defeat in Paris would have represented a job well done for Villa, but the late third goal from Nuno Mendes felt like a killer punch. Yet when Emery is around, anything seems possible. A serial silverware winner, he will unquestionably be their biggest weapon in the second leg.
Villa have already beaten the likes of Bayern Munich, Club Brugge, RB Leipzig and Celtic and have not lost at home in the competition. This is arguably the greatest test of Emery’s reign at Villa, and he will need to be at his meticulous best to find the formula for success. When asked what his team will need to do better, he replied cryptically with a simple “we will see”.
