Formally known as ‘Gegenpressing’, here’s how Dean Smith has adopted a brand of football, revitalising an Aston Villa side who looked way off Premier League safety last season and transforming them into a ‘top 8’ outfit in just a short period of time.

A key difference in Villa’s style of play has been thanks to the additions of Ross Barkley, Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash, each player providing Smith with the ability to press right from the frontline.

Watkins, despite not scoring as much, plays a key role, being a pressing forward causes opposition defenders heaps of trouble; showcased in Villa’s 7-2 demolition of current champions of England, Liverpool.

This match highlighted the trademark style of football that Villa fans have been crying out for.

Smith being able to shuffle the midfield trio has also been a great aid for the Villans. Chelsea loanee Barkley gives an experienced balance when going forward whilst Douglas Luiz and John McGinn do the hard graft of winning the ball back.

However, at times this can cause Aston Villa some trouble in counter-attacking scenarios with players out of position at times.

Since arriving at Villa Park, Cash has been a breath of fresh air in the right-back spot.

Cash has played a major part in this high-pressing system which has been deployed in B6 and with questions surrounding a potential England call-up, it’s clear to see how well Aston Villa have come on in recent months since avoiding relegation on the final day of the 2019/20 season.

The benefits of high-pressing football have been the improvement in Villa’s expected goals (xG). Smith’s side have become the second team in the Premier League who have recorded an xG of more than 5.00 in a single match; joining Manchester City with this stat.

Teams that have accumulated more than 5.00(xG) in a Premier League game since our records began in 2014:

– Man City
– Aston Villa ? pic.twitter.com/S6Z9x4Cs9D

— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) December 27, 2020

Before the restart of the Premier League last season, Villa had an xG of 2.20 when conceding goals. However, since the restart the Villans have shaped up their defence and reduced this number to just 1.32 xG. They have also improved their capability of putting the ball in the back of the net with a front three that have been impressive so far this campaign.

Aston Villa 2019/20?:

– 47% possession
– 11.34 shots per 90
– 14.56 shots faced per 90
– 1.3xG for / 1.91xG against

Aston Villa 2020/21?:

– 52.62% possession
– 15.42 shots per 90
– 11.16 shots faced per 90
– 2.02xG for / 1.32xG against

The tables have turned #AVFC

— PGR (@pgr_analytics) January 5, 2021

Whilst Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa gets the plaudits and recognition from the media for how well Leeds have played at times this season, it’s Aston Villa’s Smith who deserves plenty of recognition from the English media.

The 49-year-old has transformed a club that wasn’t so entertaining to watch at the best of times, to a team that Villa fans can look forward to watching every week.

When Villa perform their high-pressing football, it chokes the opposition and causes them to give the ball away and make mistakes. Sometimes this has you pinching yourself and thinking ‘is this the same Aston Villa from last year?’.

With a squad rife with young players, we can expect Villa to employ this philosophy for years to come which could potentially lead the side to European football.

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