Crunching the numbers: Where Villa really lost the Forest game
Villa had more possession and more box entries than Forest, but lacked creativity. We assess Emery's post-match verdict against the data.
13.09.26, 18:01 Updated 13.09.26, 19:57 6 Minute Read
Andrea Locorotondo
The story in brief
- Aston Villa had more of the ball and more territory than Nottingham Forest, yet managed only seven shots to their 22.
- Villa entered the penalty area 30 times but took just six shots from inside it, a return Forest more than doubled from half the entries.
- The data broadly vindicates Unai Emery's verdict that his side lost their shape, with 80 Villa turnovers in their own half and the middle third.
Emery said Villa lost their shape and deserved to lose. The numbers agree, and then some.
Emery's verdict, tested against the data
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Andrea Locorotondo SJA and AIPS member. Aston Villa In-Ground correspondent for Opta. Football writer and commentator. If you are coming to Villa Park, you will always find me on seat C22 in the press box.