Set-pieces eh? Where would the Premier League be without them? This time, it was Aston Villa who took full advantage to put Bologna to the sword in what will go down as a vintage European away performance.
There was a clear game plan from Unai Emery, but it looked as though that plan was about to be scrapped earlier than expected when the hosts stepped on. This wasn’t just a case of Villa absorbing any pressure, either. They were being suffocated by the Serie A side.
The Villa boss has been here more than once before, however, and in the Europa League – his competition – the Spaniard very much turns pressure into diamonds.
How Aston Villa escaped Bologna with key advantage
It was always going to be a tough test for Aston Villa at Bologna, but their decision to go man-for-man in their 4-2-3-1 system opened the door for early pressure.
It saw the visitors set up camp in their own half, isolated Ollie Watkins and let Jonathan Rowe win the battle against Matty Cash time and time again.
As far as Vincenzo Italiano was concerned, it was set to be a tactical masterclass when Santiago Castro opened the scoring, only for VAR to intervene and end any Bologna celebrations.
And that was all the encouragement that Aston Villa needed. Whilst Watkins and the rest of the Villans’ frontline was isolated in open play, the recent trend of set-piece threat in English football soon paid dividends.
Federico Ravaglia wasn’t sure where to position himself when Youri Tilemans’ looping corner evaded his outstretched hands. He was in no man’s land and Villa were in the lead courtesy of Ezri Konsa.
Mistakes quickly proved to be the trend of Bologna’s downfall too. This time, it was Villa’s press which proved all too much when they forced an error and allowed Ollie Watkins to score his second goal in as many games.
Rowe’s wonder goal threatened to change things, before Watkins took advantage of that set-piece threat once again to hand Villa a crucial 3-1 lead.
Aston Villa’s best performer vs Bologna
Emery and the rest of the travelling Aston Villa contingent would have breathed a sigh of relief when Tielemans was ready to start against Bologna. The Belgian has been injured but returned to the starting XI with aplomb. With Villa prepared to sit in and use any possession they did receive to its full effect, the midfielder’s return was always going to be crucial.
The added bonus on the night was, of course, his set-piece delivery. The returning midfielder secured two assists, both from corners, to hand his side a major advantage ahead of the second leg.
|
Tielemans vs Bologna |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes |
90 |
|
Touches |
59 |
|
Assists |
2 |
|
Passes completed |
39/48 |
|
Chances created |
4 |
|
Defensive contributions |
5 |
|
Carries |
8 |
|
Duels won |
3/6 |
|
Recoveries |
4 |
It was an absolute complete performance from Tielemans, who is well and truly firing on all cylinders since his return from injury. He simply continues to be Emery’s dream.
Given that he arrived as a free agent in 2023, those in the Midlands will struggle to pick out a better pound-for-pound signing than the 28-year-old under Emery.
As much as Watkins will steal the headlines with his goals, it comes as no surprise that it was Tielemans who was quietly conducting a vintage away day on the European stage.
Even whilst his side soaked up the pressure, the coolest man on the pitch remained the former Leicester City man. The only criticism sent his way in the past has been his physicality. That was put to bed in emphatic fashion against Bologna, as he completed five defensive contributions and four recoveries.
Meanwhile, he was as impressive in possession as ever – making seven passes into the final third and creating four chances.
It wasn’t always pretty for Aston Villa, but in between the chaos of their set-piece threat, it was Tielemans who remained as elegant as ever at the heart of Emery’s side.
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