Aston Villa face a defensive midfield crisis heading into Thursday’s Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
- Onana’s availability for Thursday remains uncertain. Emery admitted he “doesn’t know” if he’ll be ready
- Bogarde deputised at Fulham but struggled, making just one tackle and 29 passes
- Barkley has also been ruled out of the squad entirely
The problem: a crisis at the worst possible moment
Emery’s options in defensive midfield have been ruthlessly depleted at the most critical juncture of the campaign.
Boubacar Kamara remains sidelined for the remainder of the season. Ross Barkley has been ruled out entirely. And Amadou Onana, the first-choice replacement throughout this period, is now doubtful for Thursday’s first leg at the City Ground.
Emery addressed the situation directly this week. “I don’t know if he will be ready for tomorrow, Thursday or next Sunday,” the Spanish manager said of the Belgian midfielder.
“The only player we know can’t play is Ross Barkley, he is not in the list.”
That level of uncertainty, days before a European semi-final, creates a tactical puzzle that demands a creative and decisive solution.
Why Bogarde is not the answer
The most straightforward solution is persisting with Lamare Bogarde in the defensive midfield role: a position the 22-year-old has occupied ten times previously this season.
However, his performance at Craven Cottage was unconvincing. The Dutch fullback made just one tackle, one blocked shot, and 29 passes in total, less than half the output of Youri Tielemans alongside him.
He was eventually replaced by Douglas Luiz.
Bogarde’s lack of defensive concentration and limited ability to control the game from deep was exposed by Fulham’s midfield intensity.
Against Nottingham Forest’s significantly more dangerous central unit, that level of output would be insufficient. Emery must either demand a dramatically improved performance, or find an alternative solution entirely.
Option Two. McGinn or Mings drop into midfield
The more creative solution involves a formation adjustment that utilises existing personnel in unfamiliar but potentially effective roles.
Deploying Tyrone Mings as a defensive midfielder within a 4-2-3-1 structure, allowing him to drop into a back-three during defensive phases, with Cash and Digne operating as wing-backs, would give Villa greater defensive solidity without sacrificing attacking threat.
Simultaneously, shifting to a 3-4-3 shape offers another compelling avenue. Mings, Pau Torres, and Konsa at the back.
Tielemans and Douglas Luiz anchoring midfield. Cash and Digne as wing-backs. McGinn given a free role on the right, contributing both offensively and in second-line pressing, with Rogers and Watkins focused on attacking Forest’s injury-hit defensive unit.
The opportunity within the crisis
Forest’s own defensive problems mean Villa’s attacking players could find significant space if the system is set up correctly.
The midfield crisis is real. But Emery’s tactical intelligence across nine consecutive Europa League victories suggests he will find the answer. In Emery we trust.
