The first Aston Villa preseason match with a more complete look featured Ollie Watkins and Emi Buendía up top in the starting XI. Although if Unai Emery were to stick with a 4-4-2, it would not be hard to see either Donyell Malen or Morgan Rogers up top, as fans saw a glimpse of the England international at striker, with the other one playing on the right-hand side in midfield.
It could very well just be Emery exploring a different potential option to utilize later on. Naturally, there are always aspects to work on, but certainly moving forward in the attack, it appeared to be a formation that could be used with a great deal of success once the campaign itself begins.
The way in which Watkins moves off the ball would make it difficult for many backlines who are used to only playing against one person up top. Either, as was seen against Eintracht Frankfurt, Watkins will get some good, clear-cut chances at goal, or his striker partner will be the beneficiary of the added space left by Watkins.
Ability for Aston Villa to explore option
When looking at a 4-4-2, it is important to consider who is in midfield. Being able to play without the usual extra midfielder is something that some would struggle with. Fortunately for Villa, they have Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, and Boubacar Kamara. And although John McGinn is typically more on the outside, he too is someone who could fill in if something were to happen to either of the aforementioned players.
Villa have the personnel in which they can afford to take someone out of the midfield and provide another direct threat up top. It is to be seen if this will be a permanent feature for the 2025-2026 season, but if it is, it is one that will provide Villa supporters with quite a number of exciting moments and matches.