Aston Villa set-piece success under Unai Emery has become a defining feature of their season, with the head coach highlighting the growing influence of specialist coach Austin MacPhee ahead of a crucial European fixture.
Villa return to action on 9 April 2026 against Bologna in the Europa League quarter-final, and Emery has pointed to their effectiveness from dead-ball situations as a key factor behind their progress.
Aston Villa set-piece success driven by Austin MacPhee
Set pieces have become increasingly decisive across the Premier League, and Aston Villa are among the teams benefiting most from that trend.
Emery has credited MacPhee’s detailed work on both attacking and defensive situations, with Villa scoring 13 goals from set plays this season, placing them among the top-performing sides in that area.
“Austin is doing a fantastic job. The players are very committed to working on every set-piece action.” — Unai Emery, via club media
That attention to detail was evident in their recent 2-0 win over West Ham, where John McGinn opened the scoring from a rehearsed free-kick routine.
Tactical preparation and growing influence
MacPhee, who joined the club in 2021, has taken on a more prominent role since Emery’s arrival. The coaching staff now place greater emphasis on analysis and preparation, with regular meetings focused on refining set-piece execution.
From the last few Aston Villa matches we’ve covered, these routines have become more structured and consistent, often providing an edge in tightly contested games. However, it remains too early to quantify their full impact across the season.
Europa League focus after extended break
Villa’s upcoming trip to Bologna will mark their return after more than two weeks without competitive action. The Europa League quarter-final presents a significant opportunity, with set pieces likely to play a role against strong European opposition.
Preparation time has allowed Emery’s squad to focus on tactical detail, although not all players will be available.
Injury setback for Jadon Sancho
Jadon Sancho will miss the first leg after picking up a shoulder injury during a friendly against Elche in a recent training camp.
His absence reduces attacking options, placing greater emphasis on other players to provide creativity and width in the final third.
Key Insights
- Aston Villa have scored 13 goals from set pieces this season
- Unai Emery has praised Austin MacPhee’s coaching influence
- Set-piece routines are a key part of Villa’s tactical approach
- Villa face Bologna in the Europa League quarter-final
- Jadon Sancho is ruled out with a shoulder injury
What’s next for Aston Villa?
Aston Villa travel to Bologna on 10 April 2026 for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final, before returning to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest on 12 April.
Managing the transition between European and domestic fixtures will be crucial, especially with limited recovery time between matches.
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *