Aston Villa 1-0 Swansea City: 3 thoughts from Smith’s first match

Dean Smith and Aston Villa spoiled Swansea City’s travel from Wales. Tammy Abraham’s 8th-minute header gave the claret and blues all three points in front of 41,000+ at Villa Park.

In what was one of the largest crowd’s across England on Saturday, Aston Villa impressed in Dean Smith’s debut as manager. In front of over 41,000, the claret and blues hammered Swansea City in the first-half, and was able to hang on late in the match.

With three points collected, Villa move-up to 13th-place in the EFL Championship table on 18 points and a +1 goal differential. Just five points separate 6th-place (21, Norwich City) from 18th (16, Bolton Wanderers).

Three thoughts from Villa’s triumph:

1. Bjarnason, McGinn, Grealish dominate in midfield

The never-ending quest for the perfect Aston Villa midfield alignment haunted Steve Bruce for the better part of a year. Questions as to who is the best No. 6, healthy competition between John McGinn and Conor Hourihane, and Jack Grealish’s kidney injury gave Bruce much to ponder.

On Saturday, the above trio absolutely shut down Swansea’s midfield, especially in the first-half.

Collectively, they fired six shots towards Kristoffer Nordfeldt’s goal, dribbled Villa out of pressure, and stifled opposing players.

John McGinn picked-up his 5th booking of the season late in the game. Because of that, he will miss Tuesday’s crucial away match to Norwich City. Luckily, Villa have Conor Hourihane, too. Against the Canaries, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see Mile Jedinak or Glenn Whelan enter for Birkir Bjarnason, either, as a sign of rotation.

Moving forward, Dean Smith has the options available to mix-and-match versus various opponents and situations. With that said, it’s also important he find his go-to ‘A-team’ alignment. For now, that might be Bjarnason, McGinn, and Grealish.

2. The high press was fun to watch

For most of the match, and especially so in the first-half, Aston Villa deployed a high press that situated its entire front six beyond the halfway line.

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Swansea City had absolutely no answer for a good 25 minutes or so. The few times that they did get it beyond midfield, James Chester and Axel Tuanzebe cleaned-up.

Swansea changed their wingback system to a traditional back four at the 50th-minute, thereby dictating play afterwards. Villa thankfully held on for all three points courteous of Ørjan Nyland’s four saves.

But the high press showed Dean Smith is willing to play exciting, fun football. He scouted Swansea and knew exactly how to counter them in the first-half. That’s a good sign.

WhoScored’s heat map is a good indication how much farther advanced Aston Villa were on the pitch.

3. More difficult challenges await ahead

Make no mistake, three points against Swansea City is impressive. They are comfortably a mid-table side with a positive goal differential. But beating them at home should be the expectation.

The Canaries on Tuesday offers a more difficult task ahead, especially with a suspended John McGinn. The holiday period will be a grind. Before the end of 2018, Aston Villa face: Norwich, Derby, Middlesbrough, Swansea, and West Bromwich Albion on the road, and Stoke, Leeds, and Nottingham Forest at home.

It’s going to be difficult, very difficult.

UTV.