Spurs Game Raises Tactical Questions for Aston Villa, as Dean Smith Reaches Anniversary

Spurs Game Raises Tactical Questions for Villa

Let’s be honest, after Aston Villa failed to capitalise on controlling the first 15 minutes or so of the Spurs game, their performance was average at best. The 3-5-2 formation seemed too open at times and remained so, even after Ollie Watkins’ equaliser looked to have got Villa at least something from the game.

Was it simply the brilliance of Son that had unlocked Villa? Or could there have been switches to tighten Villa up? Nakamba had an excellent game against Spurs last season in the 2-1 away win, maybe he could have come on? Should the fullbacks have exercised a bit more caution?

With Leon Bailey expected back after the international break and Emi Buendia perhaps needing to start, what happens next for Dean Smith’s 3-5-2?

Is it a formation for certain opponents? After all, Villa have had some stiff tests recently and it’s a logical formation against the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs.

Will Smith play it again against Wolves at Villa Park?

Dean Smith’s Villa Anniversary

With Claudio Ranieri coming in for the first sacked manager at Watford, it’s time to reflect on the fact Dean Smith is currently the sixth longest serving manager in the Premier League.

Smith marks his third anniversary this week as Villa’s Head Coach in what many will see as a pivotal season in seeing his full potential.

So far Smith has had a successful time at Villa, he’s got Villa back to where they should be, but now it’s time to kick-on in terms of establishing them as a legit Premier League force again. The owners have European ambitions and they will need to be matched.

Sean Dyche, who signed a new contract this season with Burnley, currently leads the pack in terms of longevity and is the longest reigning manager in the Premier League, having been at Burnley coming up to nine years now.

In terms of all the top four English leagues, only Harrogate Town’s Simon Weaver (over 12 years) and Wycombe Wanderers’ Gareth Ainsworth (just over nine years) have reigned longer than Dyche.

Second and third in the Premier League are Jurgen Klopp (six years at Liverpool) and Pep Guardiola (just over five years) respectively, with Norwich City’s Daniel Farke (over four years) and Leeds United’s Marcelo Bielsa (over three years) the only other Premier League managers who have been in their posts longer than Smith.

With Farke’s Norwich already a serious relegation favourite, Bielsa on a season-to-season rolling contract and Guardiola claiming a couple of months ago, he’ll leave at the end of his contract in 2023.

If Smith makes it to five years at Villa, you’d expect him to be in the top three longest serving Premier League managers.

New Episode

All these topics above are discussed on the latest My Old Man Said podcast show, as well as catching up on the other latest Villa news and looking back at the issues rising from the Spurs game. There’s also the Three Points which includes the impact of the fuel crisis on non-league football, while Messi gets some Media Muppet treatment.

As usual, there’s plenty of fun along the way.

Listen Below

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