The Villa - One Last FM21 Save

[Derek]

https://i.ibb.co/c1FhWnp/603.png

The Villa

I've decided to have one last FM21 game before the release of FM22 and decided it was finally time to take the reigns at Aston Villa, having never managed them in any Football Manager version.

One of the reasons behind choosing Villa was to see how far I can take this team in 3-4 seasons and without the star player and captain Jack Grealish. Although the opening budget was quite small I decided not to sell any first team players to raise funds, at least until January to see how they perform.

It's been a decent start so far to the season as the team remain undefeated early on with four Premier League games and three Carabao Cup games having been played. The opening game at Villa Park was bitter sweet with Leon Bailey netting a 16th minute winner but unfortunately a late injury ruled him out for 4-5 weeks but the highlight had to be the only game we didn't win, a 2-2 draw at Manchester City. Having taken a two goal lead I was disappointed not to hold on for the win but it was a good result.

Despite losing a key player like Bailey, his replacements have performed well with El Ghazi netting twice to knock Arsenal out of the Carabao Cup and Traore smashing a hat-trick past bottom placed Watford in our last Premier League game. However, Danny Ings hasn't quite settled yet as he's yet to find the net in his opening 7 games for the club which may indicate a higher quality backup may be needed in the January window.

 

Club

https://i.ibb.co/5vJpG2T/Club.png

Tactics

I've chosen to go with a Gegenpress 4-2-3-1 which I think suits the league and team well.

First XI

https://i.ibb.co/02TNmqw/FXI.png

Second XI

https://i.ibb.co/r4r517f/SXI/.png

Squad

https://i.ibb.co/1n2HrJX/Squad.png

Transfers

https://i.ibb.co/H2vHTX4/Transfers.png

Fixtures

https://i.ibb.co/YRDRnp5/Schedule.png

Table

https://i.ibb.co/N779f5C/Table.png

 

[Markitos]

What a great start! I like the tactic you chose and Traore is "onfire!"

[Derek]

Posted by: @Markitos

What a great start! I like the tactic you chose and Traore is "onfire!"

He sure is but I actually dropped him for the next game to bring Bailey back in and he netted a double

[Derek]

How it's been going so far with the January window just closed.

https://i.ibb.co/prMFhG9/Screenshot-2021-10-13-at-19-38-41.png

https://i.ibb.co/9s9QCCb/Screenshot-2021-10-13-at-20-31-22.png

https://i.ibb.co/bb1jRNm/Screenshot-2021-10-13-at-23-05-14.png

https://i.ibb.co/K6xMpzq/Screenshot-2021-10-13-at-23-05-32.png

https://i.ibb.co/r74TTdM/Screenshot-2021-10-13-at-23-07-21.png

https://i.ibb.co/4SXTWwN/Screenshot-2021-10-13-at-23-08-13.png

https://i.ibb.co/pz21bdB/Screenshot-2021-10-14-at-19-25-24.png

[Derek]

The first season is now finished in my Villa game and I'm very happy with how it's gone as the team finished in 5th position, won the FA Cup and qualified for Europe. On a personal level winning Manager of the Year means the first season couldn't have gone much better under the circumstances. The FA Cup run was a particular highlight by beating Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal along the way.

Danny Ings really performed well in the second half of the season and hopefully can continue that form.

It will be tough to perform better than this next season.

https://i.ibb.co/QMV5Ypq/1-Table.png
https://i.ibb.co/cb3D713/2-Schedule.png
https://i.ibb.co/rFyzSJP/3-FA-Cup.png
https://i.ibb.co/tH2rMD4/4-Top-Goals.png
https://i.ibb.co/ScnmFrJ/5-Top-Assists.png
https://i.ibb.co/LdwjTbz/6-MOTY.png
https://i.ibb.co/NShGCB0/7-MOTM.png

[Derek]

Season Two completed and couldn't be happier! No big trophy this time but the Community Shield will do for sure.

Delighted with the end position and how we did in the competitions. I want to keep this squad together with some additions but not sure how they will do with CL fixtures added, as I played the second XI in the Europe League for this one.

https://i.ibb.co/947knXG/1-Competitions.png
https://i.ibb.co/jzGC0Lf/2-Table.png
https://i.ibb.co/1YVjdLN/3-Squad.png
https://i.ibb.co/2kQLZ4K/4-Goals.png
https://i.ibb.co/c6C0RqL/5-Assists.png

[Laulund]

what skin are you using

[Derek]

Posted by: @Laulund

what skin are you using

Hey mate, the skin is FMFusion Skin - DF11 Faces Edition for FM21. This is a colaboration between FM Fusion and DF11 Faces.

LINK

[Laulund]

Hi Mate,

Thanks

Thats a nice skin :)