Football journalist Gregg Evans has revealed the main reason behind Dean Smith’s decision to use a 3-5-2 formation at Aston Villa in recent weeks.
The Villans lined up in such a way as they recorded an impressive 3-0 win over Everton a week previously, and did the same for their 1-0 away victory at Old Trafford against Manchester United last time out in the Premier League.
A goal from Kortney Hause settled the game in the 88th minute, despite Bruno Fernandes then having the chance to make things all square from the penalty spot in the dying embers of the game.
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Perhaps one reason for the recent victory was Smith’s tactical setup – after all, Villa’s goal did come from their extra central defender.
While taking on the 1874 podcast, Evans explained that the Villa manager opted to line his players up in such a way so he could fit both Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins into his team.
He said: “The reason for the 3-5-2, although Dean Smith still doesn’t say it, is that they want to get the two strikers in there.
“Because it’s difficult, isn’t it? You got Ollie Watkins, who was the most important player last season, and Danny Ings, who you don’t sign to put on the bench. So he’s trying to get them both minutes, clearly.”
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Ings has made a fairly solid start to his career with the Villans, netting twice and assisting two more in the league so far.
While Watkins has yet to score this season, his 14 goals in the Premier League last season should not be quickly forgotten.
If the two men can click when on the field together, Villa could look very dangerous in the coming months – which is probably why Smith has tried to find a way to squeeze them both into his side.
Even without the two quite lighting things up together just yet, Villa should still be mostly content with things, having collected 11 points from their opening six league games.
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