‘So good’: Micah Richards says Unai Emery has already done something ‘massive’ at Aston Villa

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Pundit Micah Richards has hailed Unai Emery’s deployment of Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey in his first Aston Villa match in charge.

Emery had Villa in a 4-4-2 system while they had possession, with Bailey moving centrally to get close to Ollie Watkins and of course scoring the opening goal.

Ramsey’s energy made that switch work, as he flitted between central areas and the right wing depending on the demands of the game.

Richards told the Monday Night Club that he was impressed with the system, which was hard to work out and even harder for Manchester United to stop.

Richards on Ramsey

“I couldn’t quite work it out,” he said.

“Bailey almost played as a striker yesterday. When they were building up with the ball it was him and Watkins up-front, Buendia would go to the left and Ramsey to the right.

“At times when they were defensive it was more like a 4-2-3-1. But the runs in behind that Bailey was making were so good.

“Bringing Ramsey back in to the team was a massive coup for them. Just because of his energy and his third man running.”

Emery’s reign has had immediate lift-off with Sunday’s result, which saw Villa play exceptionally well and they were well worth their win.

They also face United again on Thursday night and a win at Old Trafford in the EFL Cup would really ignite his reign at Villa Park.

It remains to be seen what Erik ten Hag does to try and avoid a repeat of Sunday, but Emery may well have another trick or two up his sleeve.