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Aston Villa: 3 keys to stopping Derby County in play-off final

By Josh Tonti

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Players clash during the Sky Bet Championship Play-off semi final second leg match between West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa at The Hawthorns on May 14, 2019 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images )
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Players clash during the Sky Bet Championship Play-off semi final second leg match between West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa at The Hawthorns on May 14, 2019 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images ) /
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SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – APRIL 06: Albert Adomah of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his sides second goal with Tammy Abraham during the Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa at Hillsborough Stadium on April 06, 2019 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – APRIL 06: Albert Adomah of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his sides second goal with Tammy Abraham during the Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa at Hillsborough Stadium on April 06, 2019 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) /

3. Dominate the skies and capitalize on set-pieces.

When the two sides kick-off on Monday, one should have a decided advantage when it comes to dead-ball situations. Aston Villa were the better team in the air this season with 16 goals from set pieces.

In a game that’s going to induce a lot of fouling, this advantage should play out even more. Villa’s height on corner kicks and free kicks should be utilized in order to score against Derby. Between Tammy Abraham, Tyrone Mings, Axel Tuanzebe, Anwar El Ghazi and Albert Adomah, Villa have the height to challenge often.

Villa’s reluctance to fire in corner kicks in recent months is curious at best. With Grealish, McGinn and Conor Hourihane all average or better dead-ball strikers, why not use them for in-swinging corner kicks?

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