Aston Villa have undoubtedly made improvements under Dean Smith.
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith addressed the media today, ahead of his side’s clash with Derby County on Saturday, and shared how he wants his team to implement the high counter press that Pep Guardiola has drilled into his great teams throughout the years, as quoted by the club’s official website.
The Villans made a really slow start to their season, and currently sit in 14th spot in the table, having taken just 21 points from 16 games, but there have been real signs of improvement since Smith took the reigns at Villa Park.
There is still a long way to go this season, and if Aston Villa embark on a winning run sooner rather than later, they have every chance of catapulting themselves back into contention for promotion.
Smith spoke to reporters today, and shared how he wants his side to emulate Pep Guardiola’s great teams throughout the years, as quoted by the club’s official website:
“The one thing I want our players to do when they lose the ball is win it back quickly. The reactions of the players are very important – when we lose it, let’s react quickly and go and get it. Barcelona, for example, have always been a passing team – especially when Pep Guardiola was there. But what I liked about his teams was that they were hungry to regain possession very quickly. I want the same. It’s important and keeps pressure on the opposition. The lads have worked very hard at it since I’ve been here.”
Villa can jump up to as high as ninth with a win on Saturday, but they will have to be on their very best form if they are to have any chance of doing just that against Frank Lampard’s in-form Rams side.
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