After the last couple-three years I’m a bit traumatized by injuries, and Villa just aren’t deep enough to endure significant setbacks, especially in preseason. So here’s a second take on our Saturday runout in Louisville now that I’m a bit calmer.

Despite the cheap and incessant fouling, Villa seemed to come through with no ill effects.

The game itself was a microcosm of the two dominant strands of football being played, with Frankfurt representing the high-pressing, high-commitment style Chelsea and PSG are employing. Takes a lot of running and a lot of speed. Not unlike Leeds under Bielsa, in the end, but a bit more controlled. Also takes good ball-winners who get close to their men.

When it works, it’s a lot to handle, particularly for play-it-out possession sides like Villa. And particularly for Villa who, despite having clear patterns, are limited in their options, which I think is largely down to personnel. Pau is the best of CBs with the ball at his feet. You can see what Emery wanted, there. Neither Mings nor Konsa are terribly good with forward distribution, but of the two, Mings edges it.

We’ve now seen it enough that it’s seared into our brains. We almost always try to come out via the left CB. Teams crash down, putting pressure on the CB and denying anything easy to the left FB. We’ll then see one of the pivots try to provide an inside option, but usually running back and under heavy pressure. If the overlapping triangle is open down the left touchline, we’ll take it. Sometimes it goes back to the keeper, and sometimes then out to the right. Often as not, it gets recycled to the left CB or FB, and we start over. If Tielemans or Kamara have time or space, we’ll see them turn upfield.

So if we know what to expect, everyone else does, too.

There aren’t necessarily a lot of easy answers. The most obvious is to play it over the top. But while Ollie’s a willing runner, he’s not lightning fast and is a 50/50 holdup man, maybe less. Depending where he’s positioned, getting it through the middle to Rogers allows us to carry. If Tielemans gets a chance, he’ll try to slip it through. Without reliable long-ball distributors, going long is a low-percentage option. So, teams try to take away the middle, pressure the CB. Without a side of one-touch passers with pace and/or strength, we can’t really slice our way through like City. Happens every so often, but the odds are with the opponent.

If he can stay fit, Onana does offer the strength to hold players off, shield the ball and switch play. The long stride helps him gain separation.

Something encouraging we did against Frankfurt was Malen getting free in space on the right. I’ve long thought we were maybe missing a trick by not playing quick forward and diagonal balls (apart from Youri) while still 10-15 yards within our half. I’d also like to see the LB trying to link up with a flying midfielder down the channel, but again, further up the pitch.

Emery is fairly risk averse, but there are spaces and places to exploit. It also takes players who can deliver and take the passes, then do something progressive.

Anyway, things we know. I hate that two errors against the press led to both their goals, but on balance you can’t complain.

Overall, it seems as though the tide may be turning toward the smothering version of high pressing and it’s going to be something Emery has to address with what he largely has on hand.

Over to you.