Aston Villa: Birkir Bjarnason is not a wingback

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce opted for an interesting 3-4-3 formation against Nottingham Forest. New signing Birkir Bjarnason started from an unconventional position for him: left wingback. The results were not encouraging.

Despite having two adept left backs in the squad, Steve Bruce opted for Birkir Bjarnason in the left wingback role opposite of James Bree. Yes, Neil Taylor was unavailable due to illness, but Jordan Amavi certainly was available – he sat on the bench.

Birkir Bjarnason is a multi-faceted player, capable of filling a number of roles in different systems. A 3-4-3 left wingback he is not. Recap to Iceland’s Euro 2016 run where he played nearly every minute on the left of midfield: Bjarnason locked his side of the pitch down with incessant running and pressing.

Against England, Iceland packed the box with two block of four and two pressing forwards. This is what Bjarnason does well – he is a solid defensive wide player that puts himself into good attacking positions to score.

More from Claret Villans

• Aston Villa dismiss Everton for first win of Premier League season
• Tyrone Mings injured in Aston Villa’s season-opening 5-1 defeat
• Aston Villa draw Hibernian or FC Luzern for Europa Conference League play-off
• Aston Villa sign winger Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen
• Aston Villa close in on deal to sign Pau Torres from Villareal

Bjarnason’s strengths fit a 4-4-2 system in either a flat or diamond variant. Moreover, he could play on the wing in a 4-3-3 with an attack-minded, overlapping fullback (Jordan Amavi/Neil Taylor, anyone?).

Furthermore, Bjarnason is capable of filling in central midfield and other holding roles. He could probably even play as an emergency stay-at-home left back.

Bjarnason’s deficiencies are highlighted playing as wingback. He is not a great crosser of the ball, a quality that is needed for a wingabck. “Thor,” as he is affectionately called, does not possess the incisive engine needed to beat outside players one-on-one.

Against Forest, Bjarnason opted for easy passes back to Tommy Elphick and Nathan Baker. As a result, Aston Villa were unable to formulate any attacks along the left side of the pitch.

The 28-year old Birkir Bjarnason has an important role to play at Villa, but it most certainly will not be as a wingback.

It will be interesting to observe whether Steve Bruce opts to continue the 3-4-3 system. It might work with Neil Taylor’s inclusion, Mile Jedinak returning, and no Jack Grealish red card. To his credit, Villa looked impressive for the opening fifteen minutes before the team unraveled.