Aston Villa 4-3-3 Vertical Tiki-Taka

Mentality: Balanced
Tested With: Aston Villa
Results:

1st in ELT League with 121 points

132 goals scored (most in league)

37 goals conceded (least in league)

26 clean sheets

2.42 points per game

Most shots, fewest shots faced, and best overall team dominance

FORMATION: 4-3-3 Narrow (Vertical Tiki-Taka Inspired)
Goalkeeper (SK – Support)

Wing-Back (Right) – Attack

Ball Playing Defender (Right) – Defend

Ball Playing Defender (Left) – Defend

Wing-Back (Left) – Attack

Defensive Midfielder (DM) – Defend

Central Midfielder (Right) – Attack

Central Midfielder (Left) – Support

Inside Forward (Right) – Support

Inside Forward (Left) – Support

Advanced Forward (ST) – Attack

Team Instructions
In Possession
Shorter Passing

Work Ball into Box

Focus Play Down the Left

Focus Play Down the Right

Slightly Lower Tempo

Narrow Width

In Transition
Distribute to Centre-Backs

Distribute to Full-Backs

Counter

Counter-Press

Out of Possession
Much Higher Defensive Line

High Press

More Urgent Pressing

Prevent Short GK Distribution

Step Up More

Stop Crosses

Player Role Summary
GK – Sweeper Keeper (Support): Distributes short and supports buildup.
Full-Backs – Wing-Backs (Attack): Provide constant width, overlap, and support wide overloads.
CBs – BPD (Defend): Crucial to vertical build-up play; safe and progressive passing.
DM – Defensive Midfielder (Defend): Anchors the midfield, screens backline, intercepts.
CM (Right) – Central Midfielder (Attack): Late runs into the box, links with forwards.
CM (Left) – Central Midfielder (Support): Maintains balance, supports possession.
IFs – Inside Forwards (Support): Cut inside to create space, play quick one-twos, and feed striker.
ST – Advanced Forward (Attack): Leading scorer, attacks channels, capitalizes on through balls.

Analysis: Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths:

Most goals scored and least conceded

Balanced vertical tiki-taka suited for both weaker and elite opponents

Defensive solidity despite attacking full-backs

Compact and controlled build-up transitions

Effective high press and transition game

Weaknesses:

Susceptible to wide overloads from 3-4-3/5-2-3 shapes

Requires strong passing attributes in central defenders

Occasionally caught out against deep blocks without overlaps

Suggested Tweaks
For tough away games, drop mentality to Cautious and set fullbacks to Support

Against deep blocks, turn on Be More Expressive and Overlap Left/Right

For closing games, change DM to Anchor Man and switch one CM to DLP (Support)

Recommended Player Traits
IFs: Cuts Inside, Plays One-Twos

CM (Attack): Gets Forward, Arrives Late in Box

DM: Stays Back, Plays Simple Passes

BPDs: Brings Ball Out of Defence, Switch Ball Often

WB: Gets Forward, Crosses Early