Football Manager 2021 Aston Villa tactic and team guide. Club culture and board requirements, tactics, key and youth players and transfers in FM21.
Football Manager 2021 Aston Villa tactic and team guide. Club culture and
board requirements, tactics, key players, youth prospects and potential
transfers in FM21.
Here is a brief analysis of the Aston Villa squad, their club structure, relationship any potential managers will have with the board, expectations and possible tactics any FM21 manager can use.
About the club
Villa are one of the founding members of the football league in 1888 & also one of the founding members of the Premier League in 1992. Villa are a club rich in history and were a premiership team for24 years until their relegation in 2016.
After a few turbulent years and ownership changes, Villa made it to the PL in
2019 but managed to barely avoid relegation.
Considering that Villa had a close shave with relegation, the primary requirement of the board will be towards avoiding that. This is what the board requires once you take over;
1. Survival from relegation in the PL
2. A 5th round < finish in the FA Cup
3. A 4th round < finish in the EFL Carabao Cup.
Villa have spent quite a lot over the last 2 seasons and have more than a capable squad that should easily be avoid relegation. When you take over as manager, you will additionally be required to play attacking entertaining football with an onus to sign young players for the first team and develop young players using the club’s youth system.
Villa have decent training facilities and an adequate youth set up. However, as with other lower half teams you will need to work on improving this once you gain stability at the club.
RELATED: Football Manager 2021 Starting Transfer Budgets
The squad, especially after all the new transfers is quite strong and the requirement of not getting relegated should really be achievable.
The best suited tactical set-up with Villa is the vertical tiki-taka. Villa have some really good midfielders and wingers who will help in fast transitions, so opting for a counter-attacking style of football can also be done, especially in tough away games.
A 4-3-3 is the ideal set-up for this Villa squad, it also incidentally mimics how they line up in real life. Alternatively, you can go for a 4-1-4-1 formation for tough games by moving the wingers to wide midfielders to offer support in defence for the fullbacks.
A rough example of what your line-up would look like in a 4-3-3 formation is as follows,
Emiliano Martinez as a sweeper-keeper.
Ezri Konsa & Tyrone Mings as the 2 centre backs.
Matty Cash & Matt Targett as the 2 fullbacks with increased crossing instructions.
Douglas Luiz as a defensive midfielder in a deep playmaker role, John McGinn as a box to box midfielder & Ross Barkley as a supporting Mezzala.
Jack Grealish & Bertrand Traore as your left and right-wingers respectively
Ollie Watkins as a lone forward in a deep-lying forward role.
Alternatively, when you change to a 4-1-4-1 you just drop your wingers a bit deeper and play them as wide midfielders ensuring support for the fullbacks.
RELATED: Football Manager 2021 Tactics
Tyrone Mings is currently an England International and is a very tenacious young defender. You could have a real star in your hands if you keep other clubs from poaching the defender.
Jack Grealish is the club captain and is a quality winger. His direct running and crossing will cause a host of problems for your opponents and will be critical in making chances for your team.
John McGinn is an accomplished central midfielder with a keen eye for goal. His long shots are accurate and could pose a real threat when the opponent least expects it.
New signing Emi Martinez is a monster between the sticks and could be crucial in securing important points for Villa.
RELATED: Football Manager 2021 Best Players Shortlist
1. The quality of defenders outside the first XI is mediocre and your team can ship in a lot of goals if you don’t get the combination right.
2. With so many new signings there is a lack of chemistry on the pitch and in the dressing room. It could already be too late in the season when you eventually work things out.
3. With the club already spending so much money, there is nothing left for the new manager even if he wishes to strengthen any positions.
4. There is always the pressure of big clubs poaching your star players who are virtually irreplaceable.
These players could be a handy addition to the Villa squad and help them achieve their targets,
· Giovanni Reyna
· Eljif Elmas
These players may be surplus to requirements at the club or may not be of the expected quality.
· Lovre Kalinic
· Trezeguet
There are a few exciting young prospects in the ranks or on loan who have the potential to be some of the best players in the league. A few examples are;
Already one of the main defenders in the side, Konsa is a strong no-nonsense defender who is extremely capable in the air. He can be one of the best defenders in the side in the future.
The young Dutch CB currently plays for Villa u19s and has the capability to be a star player for the side in the future.
RELATED: Best Football Manager 2021 Wonderkids
To Summarize, Villa have a very strong squad for just survival, but spending money doesn’t guarantee success. Can you take over Villa and solidify their position in the Premier League again?
Board Requirements
Considering that Villa had a close shave with relegation, the primary requirement of the board will be towards avoiding that. This is what the board requires once you take over;
1. Survival from relegation in the PL
2. A 5th round < finish in the FA Cup
3. A 4th round < finish in the EFL Carabao Cup.
Villa have spent quite a lot over the last 2 seasons and have more than a capable squad that should easily be avoid relegation. When you take over as manager, you will additionally be required to play attacking entertaining football with an onus to sign young players for the first team and develop young players using the club’s youth system.
Villa have decent training facilities and an adequate youth set up. However, as with other lower half teams you will need to work on improving this once you gain stability at the club.
RELATED: Football Manager 2021 Starting Transfer Budgets
Squad, Formation and Tactical Style
The squad, especially after all the new transfers is quite strong and the requirement of not getting relegated should really be achievable.
The best suited tactical set-up with Villa is the vertical tiki-taka. Villa have some really good midfielders and wingers who will help in fast transitions, so opting for a counter-attacking style of football can also be done, especially in tough away games.
A 4-3-3 is the ideal set-up for this Villa squad, it also incidentally mimics how they line up in real life. Alternatively, you can go for a 4-1-4-1 formation for tough games by moving the wingers to wide midfielders to offer support in defence for the fullbacks.
A rough example of what your line-up would look like in a 4-3-3 formation is as follows,
Emiliano Martinez as a sweeper-keeper.
Ezri Konsa & Tyrone Mings as the 2 centre backs.
Matty Cash & Matt Targett as the 2 fullbacks with increased crossing instructions.
Douglas Luiz as a defensive midfielder in a deep playmaker role, John McGinn as a box to box midfielder & Ross Barkley as a supporting Mezzala.
Jack Grealish & Bertrand Traore as your left and right-wingers respectively
Ollie Watkins as a lone forward in a deep-lying forward role.
Alternatively, when you change to a 4-1-4-1 you just drop your wingers a bit deeper and play them as wide midfielders ensuring support for the fullbacks.
RELATED: Football Manager 2021 Tactics
Key Players
1. Tyrone Mings
Tyrone Mings is currently an England International and is a very tenacious young defender. You could have a real star in your hands if you keep other clubs from poaching the defender.
2. Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish is the club captain and is a quality winger. His direct running and crossing will cause a host of problems for your opponents and will be critical in making chances for your team.
3. John McGinn
John McGinn is an accomplished central midfielder with a keen eye for goal. His long shots are accurate and could pose a real threat when the opponent least expects it.
4. Emiliano Martinez
New signing Emi Martinez is a monster between the sticks and could be crucial in securing important points for Villa.
RELATED: Football Manager 2021 Best Players Shortlist
Weaknesses
1. The quality of defenders outside the first XI is mediocre and your team can ship in a lot of goals if you don’t get the combination right.
2. With so many new signings there is a lack of chemistry on the pitch and in the dressing room. It could already be too late in the season when you eventually work things out.
3. With the club already spending so much money, there is nothing left for the new manager even if he wishes to strengthen any positions.
4. There is always the pressure of big clubs poaching your star players who are virtually irreplaceable.
Potential Transfers (in)
These players could be a handy addition to the Villa squad and help them achieve their targets,
· Giovanni Reyna
· Eljif Elmas
Potential Transfers (Out)
These players may be surplus to requirements at the club or may not be of the expected quality.
· Lovre Kalinic
· Trezeguet
Youth Prospects
There are a few exciting young prospects in the ranks or on loan who have the potential to be some of the best players in the league. A few examples are;
1. Ezri Konsa
Already one of the main defenders in the side, Konsa is a strong no-nonsense defender who is extremely capable in the air. He can be one of the best defenders in the side in the future.
2. Lamar Bogarde
The young Dutch CB currently plays for Villa u19s and has the capability to be a star player for the side in the future.
RELATED: Best Football Manager 2021 Wonderkids
Summary
To Summarize, Villa have a very strong squad for just survival, but spending money doesn’t guarantee success. Can you take over Villa and solidify their position in the Premier League again?
