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Jacob Tanswell

@jacobtanswell.bsky.social

5K followers 150 following 1.9K posts

Aston Villa writer for The Athletic | #AVFC | Subscribe here: https://theathletic.com

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Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · Apr 1

Inside Real Union:

🟢A founding La Liga club with four Copa del Rey's
⚪️#AVFC/V Sports multi-club network
🟢Owned by Unai Emery due to a rich family history: "I have a responsibility with my father and grandfather and towards my land."@theathleticfc.bsky.social

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Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2h

Youri Tielemans has suffered a setback in his recovery from a calf injury. Set to be out for up to five weeks. Story @theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC

www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...

Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans set to miss up to five weeks with calf injury setback

The 28-year-old sustained the injury against Everton in September and has missed each of Villa's six matches since.

www.nytimes.com

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Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 7h

Chad Williams is an exceptional man with exceptional courage. The most inspirational, strong-minded person you can meet. He is an #AVFC podcaster, fan, fundraiser, a Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) campaigner and legend. This is his story @theathleticfc.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

The inspiring Aston Villa fan with a debilitating condition and the podcast that ‘gives me a purpose’

Chad Williams, who has muscle-wasting condition Duchenne muscular dystrophy, runs the Villa4Ever podcast that he says is 'like therapy'

www.nytimes.com

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Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

Unai Emery’s chessboard: How Aston Villa’s No 10s dictate every move.

Piece @theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Unai Emery’s chessboard: How Aston Villa’s No 10s dictate every move

On Sunday, Emery became the quickest Villa manager to earn 80 wins. Several ingredients have contributed to such prolonged consistency

www.nytimes.com

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Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

Simply through Burnley’s engrossment with Morgan Rogers, #AVFC had a two-vs-two on the other two centre-backs. This culminated in Malen’s first goal, with Kamara playing an exceptional through ball.

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Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

As for Feyenoord, they did not know who to mark the furthest No 10. One CM would press high, leaving their partner covering both No 10s.#AVFC created 2v1s and played around them. Because their CBs were reluctant to step out (as Watkins would run behind) one No 10 always had space

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Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

Sander Berge was tasked with marking the "furthest No 10" in Elliott but jumping on McGinn when he had the ball. It created a 2v1 for #AVFC down their right, simply by having two No 10s instead of one. This was partly due to Fulham always marking Rogers on the opposition side

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Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

Occupying different spaces makes the opponent react. #AVFC’s No 10s are carefully designed constructs of Unai Emery. His counterparts have attempted varying strategies to nullify his No 10s, shown in the last week.

We start vs Fulham when McGinn sees the space he has...

Thread:

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Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

Only three Villa players in Premier League history have registered more open-play assists than Morgan Rogers in a calendar year. No team attacks centrally more than #AVFC. Game plans are built around the "furthest no 10" opening passing lanes and the two 10s.

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Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

Three games inside a week brought three different strategies from opponents, all attempting to nullify #AVFC’s most open secret - Emery’s chess piece no 10s. Yet no one did or can - very rarely are they kept quiet. Here’s why:

@theathleticfc.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Unai Emery’s chessboard: How Aston Villa’s No 10s dictate every move

On Sunday, Emery became the quickest Villa manager to earn 80 wins. Several ingredients have contributed to such prolonged consistency

www.nytimes.com

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Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

Emery says he is trying to adjust Donyell Malen into #AVFC's structure. Against Burnley's back five, he wanted to get "one more player in the attacking third," but believes Malen is best starting higher and near the opponent's box, so starting central means he's more effective.

Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

Emery: "He gives us the opportunity to add more players as a midfielder, centre back, but I think his best position is a midfielder." #AVFC

Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

Unai Emery on Lamare Bogarde: "Fantastic because he’s getting mature as a person. He was here when I arrived three years ago. His development is really clear. We have been demanding, pushing him and sometimes punishing him. But he's reacting fantastically." #AVFC

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Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

FT: #AVFC 2-1 Burnley

Villa made hard work of that near the end but four straight wins in all comps. In his 150th game, Emery reaches 80 wins- 15 games quicker than any other Villa manager. Spine again impressive with Bogarde again excellent & composure (56/58 passes completed).

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Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

Flemming has just been staring at the North Stand as they make their feelings known. It's not good from him and lucky there wasn't any further punishment.

Buendia, luckily, is up and walks off the pitch. Maatsen comes on #AVFC

Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

Buendia has been down for some time after recieving an elbow to the face from Zian Flemming. A stretcher is coming on the pitch.

During the scuffle which ensued, Martinez picked up a yellow card. #AVFC

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Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

A well deserved standing ovation for Lamare Bogarde. He is replaced by Amadou Onana.

#AVFC

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Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

Lindelof and Barkley replace Cash and Malen. Rogers up top, Lindelof at right-back

#AVFC

Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

Lamare Bogarde's heart rate never goes above 160 - composed, positionally aware and press resistant.

#AVFC have lost a bit since the double sub (having reverted back to old shape)

Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

Goal, Burnley pull one back. Ukochukwu heads in for a corner. 2-1

#AVFC had been very comfortable.

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Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

What a finish. Malen becomes #AVFC's leading PL goalscorer this season in one game.

Hell of a finish. A snapshot. Rogers gets the ball in the perfect position between the lines (Laurent wasn't there) and tees up Malen. He controls and shoots, almost straight away. Emphatic. 2-0

Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

Guessand and Buendia are coming on. #AVFC

Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 2d

Quite amazing how reassuring it must be to have Kamara back fit. Just the safety blanket with and without the ball.

#AVFC could do with getting this game done while they are in control

Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 3d

On paper, Malen has simply replaced Guessand

But if you look at #AVFC's average positions compared to Fulham, Guessand (29) was a typical Emery winger, moving up top at certain times. Whereas Malen (17) is a traditional No 9 today,tasked with finishing (only four passes so far)

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Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 3d

HT: #AVFC 1-0 Burnley

Only a goal in it, but a good half. Villa playing with rhythm.Look cohesive going forward, with pace and power. Emery's approach & tweaks are so interesting in counteracting the Burnley setup.Probably like to see a few more moves end up with shots on target

Jacob Tanswell @jacobtanswell.bsky.social · 3d

Good save from Martinez to turn Cullen's effort around the post. Holte End sings his name as he smiles. His calf looks fine today. #AVFC

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