Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has found success when deploying Ezri Konsa at right-back this season, but it arguably hasn’t had the desired effect in recent weeks.
As we saw initially in pre-season, the Villa boss tested a system with three centre-halves in the backline, as they switched to a back three in possession while shifting into a back four without the ball.
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It worked well last summer and has done at times this season, but in recent weeks, we’ve found it problematic when trying to build our play from the back and maintaining control within a game.
Konsa’s versatility is a real strength, and it has not only allowed him to showcase his quality and flexibility in a different role, but it’s allowed the likes of Clement Lenglet and Diego Carlos to play more often, rather than Konsa and Pau Torres monopolising the two centre-half positions.
However, whether it was his red card in Amsterdam in the first leg of our Europa Conference League round-of-16 clash with Ajax, or the disastrous second-half defensive performance in the 4-0 defeat to Tottenham in which three of our five starting defenders were substituted, or finally the draw with West Ham Utd this past weekend, is it really the best option to go with still?
Lenglet was replaced at half-time at the London Stadium with Konsa shifting inside as Matty Cash was brought on to play at right-back, and the improvement in our play in both phases of the game was obvious.
It can be argued that there was clearly a better balance to the side with that set-up, as ultimately teams have adapted and made it more difficult for us to play the way we want to.
With the opposition now making a point of closing our passing lines through central areas and forcing us wide, there tends to be a pattern in games now where our full-backs receive the ball in deeper areas and are asked to find a key pass forward which can break the lines and create openings.
That has often led to Konsa coming under pressure on the right side, and he has looked more awkward and unsure when trying to find a teammate, which in turn leads to possession being lost and Villa growing frustrated with our inability to play with any rhythm and control.
Further, there was indecision on Sunday as Michail Antonio headed home West Ham’s goal, with Lenglet dragged inside and Konsa beaten to the cross as we conceded another soft goal.
It was Konsa’s errant pass while trying to bring the ball up that led to Tottenham’s second goal a week ago, and so there is a growing number of cases that showcase that it could be a problem for us if we continue to go down that route.
With a Pau-Konsa partnership in the heart of the backline, we have looked a lot more solid for the most part. That in turn allows Cash and Alex Moreno to provide width, energy and attacking intent on the flanks, while combating the issue of trying to play through the middle.
There will be certain games and opposition where the ability to go with three centre-backs will give us the tactical edge and best chance to win, and so this is not to say that it should be disregarded entirely.
However, as we encounter problems with that set-up both defensively and in terms of our progressive play starting at the back, going with Konsa in the middle and Cash on the right seems like the more effective way to go in the coming weeks and months.