---
title: "REVEALED: The secret behind Aston Villa’s set-piece masterclass as Unai Emery praises ‘Genius’ Austin MacPhee"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2026/04/18/revealed-the-secret-behind-aston-villas-set-piece-masterclass-as-unai-emery-praises-genius-austin-macphee/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Andrea Locorotondo"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2026-04-18T01:15:00Z"
modified: "2026-04-18T12:16:12Z"
---

# REVEALED: The secret behind Aston Villa’s set-piece masterclass as Unai Emery praises ‘Genius’ Austin MacPhee

**Unai Emery has heaped praise on set-piece coach Austin MacPhee, labeling his tactical creativity as “vital” to Villa’s success.**

- Only Arsenal have scored more set-piece goals than Villa across Europe’s top five leagues over three seasons
- MacPhee has worked under three different Villa managers since joining in August 2021
- Emery described the coach’s approach as “sometimes crazy”, in the most complimentary way
- Sunderland are identified as a specific set-piece threat ahead of Sunday’s clash

## The numbers behind MacPhee’s genius

If you are a season ticket holder at Villa Park, you know very well MacPhee’s stand up movements from the bench whenever there is a set piece situation.

The statistics surrounding Villa’s set-piece output under MacPhee are genuinely extraordinary.

[In 2023-24](https://www.90min.com/posts/premier-league-teams-most-goals-set-pieces-2023-24-ranked), the Midlands club scored 25 goals from dead-ball situations: more than any other club across Europe’s top five leagues that season.

The following campaign produced another 20 set-piece goals, bettered only by Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal, Inter, and Barcelona.

This season, only [Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/48374122/premier-league-standings-set-piece-goals-table-arsenal-liverpool-united-chelsea), with 25, have surpassed Villa’s tally of 20.

Remarkably, Arsenal and Villa are the only two clubs across Europe’s top five leagues to have scored at least 20 set-piece goals in each of the last three consecutive seasons.

That consistency is not accidental, it is the product of a meticulous, creative coaching process that MacPhee has developed and refined across three different managerial regimes at Bodymoor Heath.

> Arsenal and [#AVFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) are the only teams in Europe's top five leagues to score 20+ set-piece goals in each of the last three seasons.\
> \
> Unai Emery: "One way in set-pieces is to be creative, and Austin is very creative. We are speaking a lot about set-pieces."[https://t.co/2CQCfH432w](https://t.co/2CQCfH432w)
>
> — John Townley (@johntownley11) [April 17, 2026](https://twitter.com/johntownley11/status/2045138131435799022?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Emery’s tribute: “Austin is very creative”

The Spanish manager did not hold back in his praise when asked about the 46-year-old’s contribution on Friday. “Set-pieces are very important and Austin is very creative,” Emery stated directly.

“*We are speaking a lot about set-pieces and we are trying to get advantages through it and compete through it*.”

The 53-year-old also offered an [amusing insight](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2026/april/17/prematch-emery-looks-ahead-to-sunderland-clash/) into the complexity of modern set-piece defending. “Even with the goalkeepers; touch them or not, a foul or not, they are blocking goalkeepers, not just one player but two or three. It is sometimes crazy.”

That candid observation reflects the fine margins that elite set-piece coaching exploits so effectively and that MacPhee has mastered better than almost anyone in Europe.

> A short analysis of an Attacking Corner from Aston Villa v Wolves. It is VERY interesting to note Villa's huge success under the guidance of set-piece coach Austin Macphee.[https://t.co/wAgVFNcVtM](https://t.co/wAgVFNcVtM) [pic.twitter.com/5eWdhOXfig](https://t.co/5eWdhOXfig)
>
> — King Knight Education (@KingKnightEd) [March 24, 2026](https://twitter.com/KingKnightEd/status/2036278536424526144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Sunderland identified as a specific threat

Emery was equally specific about the challenge Sunderland pose from dead-ball situations on Sunday. [Regis Le Bris’ side](https://www.safc.com/news/2026/april/15/preview--sunderland-head-to-villa-park/) are identified as one of the Premier League’s more dangerous set-piece teams: a factor the Villa manager is clearly preparing for meticulously.

“*Sunderland is especially one team very good through set-pieces and they threaten the opponent through it*,” he acknowledged.

## MacPhee’s role cannot be overstated

MacPhee’s contribution to Villa’s modern era is one of the most underappreciated stories at the club. Three managers, three different tactical philosophies, and a set-piece record that has remained consistently elite throughout.

Sunday represents another opportunity to demonstrate exactly why Emery values the coach so highly