Set pieces have become a major factor in the Premier League.
Unai Emery has saluted the part played by set piece coach Austin MacPhee in Villa’s success this season.
Villa have scored 13 times from set plays this term, the fifth-most of any team in the top flight, with a training ground free-kick routine leading to John McGinn’s opener in the 2-0 win over West Ham prior to the international break.
MacPhee, who was appointed by the club during Dean Smith’s reign as boss in 2021, has taken on an increased role since Emery’s arrival three-and-a-half years ago and the Spaniard believes the hard work is paying off.
He said: “Austin is doing a fantastic job and the players, their commitment to follow him and work hard every set piece action, whether offensive or defensive.
“We are having a lot of meetings with the players, with Austin and analysing deeply the work in the details. You can see everything on the field.”
Villa are poised to ramp up preparations for their return to action in Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg in Bologna.
The match will be their first in more than two-and-a-half weeks since the victory over West Ham.
Winger Jadon Sancho will be absent with a shoulder injury sustained in a 2-1 friendly defeat to Elche during a recent warm weather training camp.
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