3-back system not the way forward for Aston Villa

From watching Aston Villa in pre-season action, it is clear to see that Steve Bruce is toying with the idea of a switch in formation this season to either a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 shape.

The personnel deployed in the defense this pre-season have been mixed. James Chester, Tommy Elphick and Alan Hutton against Walsall and Hutton, Chester and Neil Taylor on Saturday against Burton. Considering the possible sale of Chester, and dearth of natural centre-halves currently at Villa, this makes me doubtful the formation can have lasting success in league action.

In a 3-man backline, the role of the full back transforms into a more attacking role. All requisite attacking skills of a winger come with the position. The right sided players that Aston Villa have for the role include Ahmed Elmohamady, James Bree, Ritchie De Laet and Alan Hutton. 4 players fighting for 1 spot is simply too many, hence Bruce’s decision to try Hutton as the right-sided centre-back in recent days. This leaves the three of Elmo, Bree, and De Laet fighting for the right wingback position. The left-handed side options for Villa is far more barren: Neil Taylor, Alan Hutton, and a traditional wing option, André Green. The first 2 names mentioned are not the most technically-gifted fullbacks, let alone potential wing backs. Though, Taylor has had previous success in the role with the Wales National Team.

Moving on to the center of defense, and assuming Chester goes, the number of natural centre-backs at the club decreases to just 4, Tommy Elphick, the positional-transformed Mile Jedinak, and youngsters Easah Suliman and Mitch Clark. In reality, Villa do not have the personnel to pull-off a 3-back system in a consistent fashion. Questions at centre-back depth and right/left wingback quality are a lot harder to hide as opposed to a traditional defensive unit.

Regardless, it’s good to see Steve Bruce experimenting, but as presently constructed, a 3-5-2 / 3-4-3 doesn’t make a lot of sense just yet.