Steven Gerrard's change to a diamond helps Aston Villa to sparkle

Steven Gerrard wants his best players on the pitch and to find the perfect positions that play to their strengths.

His recent switch of systems allows Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings to play together up top — rather than leaving one of them on the bench or having one play out wide — and allows Philippe Coutinho to play off the front with licence to roam.

Since Gerrard arrived at Aston Villa, he has mostly used the 4-3-3 formation which was successful for him at Rangers. But poor results against relegation contenders prompted a change.

After drawing with Leeds and losing to Newcastle and Watford, Gerrard had seven days to work with his squad before their next trip to Brighton. He put a plan together, showing his flexibility as a coach by working on a new system to bring the best out of his top players.

He opted for a 4-1-2-1-2 set-up — a midfield diamond and two up top. Douglas Luiz provides protection as the deep-lying midfielder and split either side in front of him are the two workaholics Jacob Ramsey and John McGinn. Coutinho is given a free role at the tip of the diamond, followed by the Watkins-Ings strike partnership.

This new system has got Villa three wins in four and is built around Coutinho, who gives the team a good passing rhythm.

This set-up is far from perfect, though. It leaves issues on the flanks as there are no wingers.

Saturday's opponents Arsenal get their width from outstanding youngsters Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. But Villa have been relying on their full backs Matty Cash and Lucas Digne to create their width.

Without natural wingers in front of them, they are left with a heavy workload at times and last weekend at West Ham, Gerrard lost the influential Digne to a hamstring problem.

A glance at a Premier League table for possession won in the final third ranks Villa bottom. With this new system, I do not see that changing as they do not have the numbers in advanced positions to press high like Liverpool or Manchester City.

What strikes me about Villa, though, is how Gerrard has a team willing to work so the system can support Coutinho. The Brazilian is worth it — he is averaging a goal or assist a game since returning to these shores.

Whether Gerrard sticks with this system or reverts to 4-3-3 next season will depend greatly on if Coutinho stays or goes.

Mikel Arteta complained about Arsenal’s fixture list after Wednesday’s loss to Liverpool and this clash will be their third game in seven days. With no European football and an early FA Cup exit, though, this is the first time the club have had this level of congestion in 2022.

They’ve been used to one game a week. They now need to embrace the challenge facing them today and win at Villa Park to bolster their top-four push.