Birmingham City boss defends his Aston Villa tactics

Sep 14 2009 By Andy Walker

Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has defended his decision to field a 4-5-1 formation against Villa yesterday.

Despite criticism that he should have named a more attacking line-up at St Andrew’s, McLeish felt that his tactics were spot on and that the narrow 1-0 defeat was a ‘harsh result’.

Explaining his reasoning behind naming a five man Blues midfield from the start, Big Eck insisted that Villa’s victory at Anfield three weeks ago, with their familiar 4-5-1 formation, was proof that his side had to match Martin O’Neill’s men in the middle.

And McLeish had no regrets about his line-up as the Blues boss, who chose the same tactic at Manchester United and Spurs, believed that the only difference between the Second City neighbours yesterday was their defending at set pieces.

“I thought we played great,” insisted McLeish. “We went for 4-5-1 because I thought Villa’s power in midfield could over run us. They did extremely well at Anfield and they played the same at home with one striker. So I don’t see why I can’t use one striker at home when I feel it’s the right tactics, I thought the tactics were spot on.

“I think it was a harsh result, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. We played really well, we got in and about Villa. I didn’t think we allowed them to play at all today, we nullified Agbonlahor and Ashley Young and don’t forget I shuffled the pack with players playing in unfamiliar roles.”