Set-piece coaches are a bit like Marmite; you either love them or hate them.
Either way, you certainly can’t get away from them. Whether it’s Nicolas Jover racing to the Arsenal touchline every time there’s a throw-in at the Emirates, or Brentford literally promoting their former dead-ball tactician to the top job in Keith Andrews.
Aston Villa are another side in on the act through Austin MacPhee, but he’s not been as visible of late.
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Aston Villa set-piece coach Austin MacPhee has not been seen on the touchline
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Austin MacPhee, coach of Aston Villa looks on prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Aston Villa FC at Etihad Stadium on April 22, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
MacPhee is a key part of the Villa setup(Image credit: Getty Images)
The Villans took the lead from a corner just before the 20-minute mark, with Matty Cash taking one touch to get the driven pass out of his feet on the edge of the box, and another to smash it beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma.
It looked every inch a training ground job, but there was no MacPhee on the touchline to nonchalantly take the plaudits, as figures in his role often do.
The touch and finish from Matty Cash 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/E6AIaLj5HWOctober 26, 2025
But fear not! MacPhee did make it onto the screen following Cash’s opener, along with the reason he has been out of the spotlight.
The broadcast from Sky Sports showed that MacPhee was indeed sat in the technical area, iPad at his side, with his leg in a support.
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Commentator Bill Leslie later revealed that the Scottish coach has suffered a patella injury, picked up while on duty in his second role, as assistant head coach of Portugal’s national team under Roberto Martinez.
That didn’t stop him taking the limelight for just a second on Sky, his beaming smile showing exactly what he thought of his contribution to the Villans’ opener.
MUNICH, GERMANY - JUNE 8: Austin MacPhee, assistant head coach of Portugal, calls for a play during the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 8, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
MacPhee also prowls the touchline for Portgual, as the assistant head coach under Roberto Martinez(Image credit: Getty Images)
In FourFourTwo’s opinion, while we of course wish MacPhee a speedy recovery from his injury, his fellow set-piece coaches could learn a thing or two.
They look much more at home sat in the dugout, tapping away on a device, than seemingly assuming the powers of the man in charge on the touchline.
Unai Emery won’t have too many concerns where the Scot is, however, as long as he can keep churning out such productive routines.