OPINION
When Aston Villa fans arrived to see their side play host to midlands rivals West Brom they knew their side would be in for a fierce battle against one of the most potent attacks the Championship has to offer.
However, not many would have expected to see Dean Smith’s side beaten so comfortably by Darren Moore and his men – the Villans hardly having a sniff against the Baggies.
It was a really simple win for the visitors and questions have to be asked about why Villa allowed it to be as one sided as it turned out to be despite both sides having harboured hopes of a promotion push at the start of the season.
One of the biggest reasons why West Brom were so commanding was their approach in terms of their formation, Moore utilising a 4-3-3 which brought the best out of his players at both ends of the pitch, Smith sticking to his 4-5-1 to try and control the middle of the pitch.
The truth of the matter is that the midfield trio of the Baggies were dominant throughout, both on and off the ball, and if Villa really want to transform their fortunes then stealing their rivals’ tactics and applying them to their own side could work a treat.
There is no reason Conor Hourihane cannot drop back into a trio joined by John McGinn and Glenn Whelan and if Smith feels he needs another enforcer in there then Mile Jedinak can fill the void quite nicely.
As for the attacking options, pushing the wingers further up the pitch and closer to Tammy Abraham will give the hitman more service and therefore more goals, with the likes of Alan Hutton and Neil Taylor able to bomb forward from full back to deliver more options out wide.
The 4-3-3 formation has been crucial in West Brom’s success this season – Smith has got to copy it to end his side’s rut.