While it takes a collective effort to establish a strong defensive base in a side, Aston Villa stalwarts Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa have been fundamental in our recent form.
All involved undoubtedly deserve credit, whether that’s Emiliano Martinez showing his class between the posts, our full-backs playing key roles along with our midfielders and Ollie Watkins all playing their part to make us a side that’s now harder to break down.
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After shipping 11 goals in three games, which included back-to-back 4-2 defeats at home, Villa have kept five clean sheets in our last seven outings, conceding just twice, with only one of those coming from open play.
Having stressed the importance of improving our home form, Unai Emery has also seen his side keep three consecutive clean sheets and pick up three wins on the spin at Villa Park since that February defeat to Arsenal.
The Villa boss has consistently stressed his desire to see us control games more effectively, managing the tempo and possession to nullify the opposition’s threat and allow us to dictate the rhythm of the encounter.
We’ve shown significant improvement in that aspect of our performances too and that has undoubtedly contributed to our improved defensive form, but the presence of key individuals at the back has also been crucial.
In 29 appearances so far this season, Mings has won 61% of his tackles, 71% of his heading duels and has an 86% passing completion rate. Add to that 121 clearances, 43 interceptions, 19 blocks and 84 duels won.
As for Konsa, he has featured 31 times and has won 71% of his tackles, 58% of his heading duels, has an 88% passing completion rate along with 96 clearances, 19 interceptions, 19 blocks and 134 duels won.
Those figures place them both in the top 20 in the Premier League for blocks, top 16 for clearances, top 17 for headed clearances with Mings in 7th spot, and as a collective, Villa now have 10 clean sheets so far this season, the fifth best tally in the league.
That’s then reflected in the team statistics where we rank highly in all those same categories, and again, while it’s important to stress that others deserve credit for our defensive improvement too, Konsa and Mings arguably don’t always get the share of it that they deserve.
While it’s hoped that they continue to iron out the errors, they have adapted brilliantly to Emery’s demands too. They’ve been tactically sharp and disciplined in playing a high line and shown great awareness and understanding with their positioning and reading of the game to sniff out danger in key areas.
Further, they have also been composed and assured when in possession, with Villa playing out from the back and adopting a patient and measured approach which relies on our centre-backs being calm and accurate on the ball.
With a difficult run-in ahead, we’ll need to maintain the high levels we’re setting defensively if we are to continue to compete for a European qualification spot and naturally, we’ll need some good luck along the way too.
Having already answered plenty of questions given some would have predicted that they would be replaced by Emery at the end of the season as he looks to mould the squad into his own, Mings, Konsa and the rest of the Villa squad have a big couple of months ahead and we’ll hopefully continue to see improvement and progression to guide us towards our objectives.