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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has explained the growing trend of Premier League rivals adopting a more direct approach to their football.

Statistics show that the number of passes per top flight game have plummeted to a 15-year low as more and more teams opt to play long balls and utilise long throws into the box.

“I think this is a consequence of how it is changing tactically overall in football,” Emery told Sky Sports .

“Football is becoming man-to-man all over the pitch.”

He added: “With teams playing man-to-man, pressing against their direct opponent, even in a medium block, trying to jump man-to-man, we are seeing a lot more of this than last year. It is because teams in England, and in Italy are performing well doing it.

“Here, for example, one team that is being co

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