Champions League quarter-final (a first UCL campaign in 41 years) · 4th in the league, an overperformance
Organised mid block + set-piece specialism — the pragmatic finished article of Emery’s career
Not enough votes yet (2) to rank — shown as New for now.
Players only move where their role tag says — it's not a match replay
4-4-2
The double pivot holds firm, and prepared routines are used aggressively at set pieces.
Identity
Shows where the same player moves to between in- and out-of-possession phases.
| In possession | Out of possession |
|---|---|
| GKNo Nonsense Goalkeeper | GKLine-Holding Keeper |
| FB (L)Wing-Back | FB (L)Holding Full-Back |
| CB (L)No-Nonsense Centre-Back | CB (L)Covering Centre-Back |
| CB (R)No-Nonsense Centre-Back | CB (R)Covering Centre-Back |
| FB (R)Full-Back | FB (R)Holding Full-Back |
| CM (L)Wide Midfielder | CM (L)Tracking Wide Midfielder |
| CM (C)Defensive Midfielder | CM (C)Defensive Midfielder |
| CM (C)Central Midfielder | CM (C)Central Midfielder |
| CM (R)Wide Midfielder | CM (R)Tracking Wide Midfielder |
| ST 1Deep Lying Forward | ST 1Tracking Centre-Forward |
| ST 2Channel Forward | ST 2Centre-Forward |
Amber badges are the identity-defining instructions. We only set a value where the data gives a clear signal; where it does not, the FM default is left in place and shown faded — those are yours to adjust. Click an item to check it off.
In Possession
Out of Possession
FM26 handles one in-possession shape, one out-of-possession shape, and the switch between them. The items below fall outside that — this card carries only what the game can take.
Not an appearance ranking — these players embodied the system’s roles.
Tap a position on the pitch and the attributes that spot needs appear right there.
A defensive-midfield role in and out of possession
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionPassing Risk: Take Fewer Risks
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: No Nonsense Goalkeeper · Out of possession: Line-Holding Keeper
Required
Preferred
In possession: Wing-Back · Out of possession: Full-Back
Required
Preferred
Set by the role
In possessionGets Further ForwardStays Wide
Out of possessionHolds PositionStays Wide
Every other player instruction stays at its default — those are yours to adjust.
In possession: No-Nonsense Centre-Back · Out of possession: Covering Centre-Back
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
Out of possessionTackling: Ease Off Tackles
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: No-Nonsense Centre-Back · Out of possession: Covering Centre-Back
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
Out of possessionTackling: Ease Off Tackles
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: Full-Back · Out of possession: Full-Back
Required
Preferred
Set by the role
Holds PositionStays Wide
Every other player instruction stays at its default — those are yours to adjust.
In possession: Wide Midfielder · Out of possession: Tracking Wide Midfielder
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionAttacking Width: Stay Wider
Out of possessionMarking Target: Mark Position
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: Wide Midfielder · Out of possession: Tracking Wide Midfielder
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionAttacking Width: Stay Wider
Out of possessionMarking Target: Mark Position
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: Deep Lying Forward · Out of possession: Tracking Centre-Forward
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionHold Up Ball: Yes
Out of possessionTrigger Press: More Often
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: Channel Forward · Out of possession: Centre-Forward
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionAttacking Width: Move Into Channels
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
This is a well-founded starting point — the FM match engine is a separate system, so real match performance is not guaranteed.
Aston Villa under Unai Emery in the 2024–25 Premier League are the template for this card. Their clearest trait: they pushed the back line up the pitch, 2nd of 20, and they pressed little, 18th of 20 for pressing intensity. Expect the settings below to push the back line up and squeeze the space between the lines. On the other axes they ranked: width 17th, tempo 12th, build-up 10th. In FM26 this becomes a 4-4-2, with team instructions and role settings listed below. Ranks are within the Premier League 2024–25 field of 20 teams, where 1st is the highest value on that axis.
How the ranks are made: League style reports · How ratings work