Aston Villa's Set-Piece Strategy Proves Decisive in Narrow Victory Over Brighton
In a tightly contested Premier League encounter, Aston Villa secured a crucial 1-0 win against Brighton, with the decisive moment arriving from a meticulously planned set-piece. The victory, earned on Tyrone Mings' 200th appearance for the club, underscored Villa's growing reputation as a formidable force in dead-ball situations under manager Unai Emery.
Late Drama Seals the Points for Villa
The match-winning goal came in the 86th minute, when Leon Bailey delivered an in-swinging corner that Tyrone Mings glanced towards goal. The ball took a deflection off Brighton midfielder Jack Hinshelwood before finding the net, with the Premier League officially crediting it as an own goal. This marked Villa's third-latest goal in a 1-0 home win in the competition's history, following strikes by Andreas Weimann in 2012 and Nolberto Solano in 2005.
Despite the late breakthrough, the overall performance was far from convincing for Villa. Both teams struggled to create clear-cut opportunities throughout the match, with Villa managing just one shot on target. Emi Buendia came closest to scoring in the first half, firing wide of the post, while Brighton's Ferdi Kadioglu struck the crossbar, only to be denied by a superb save from Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez.
Set-Piece Excellence: A Season-Long Trend
This season, set-pieces have emerged as a significant weapon for Aston Villa, with the team now having scored eight Premier League goals from corners. Only Arsenal, Tottenham, and Chelsea have netted more from such situations. The success is largely attributed to the meticulous planning of set-piece coach Austin MacPhee, whose preparations have repeatedly proven decisive in tight matches.
What made Villa's winning set-piece particularly intriguing was the pre-corner routine between Mings and Bailey. Mings initially vacated the penalty area to confer with Bailey, who was preparing to take the kick. After returning to his position, Mings timed his run perfectly to connect with Bailey's delivery, showcasing a well-rehearsed move that highlights Villa's strategic edge.
This victory not only reinforces Villa's push for a Champions League spot but also demonstrates how effective set-piece execution can turn an otherwise lackluster performance into three valuable points. As the season progresses, such moments of precision may prove pivotal in the race for European qualification.
