It seems to get quite a bit of criticism on here, but then most posters are older and yearn for the days of whack everything upfield.

Playing things out from the back is the way forward, pardon the pun. Most promoted sides to the Prem in recent years do that. The days of goalkeepers thumping a goal kick 80 yards upfield have almost gone.

I've seen a few Villa performances recently and it's been really enjoyable. There's a side that is direct but builds from the back. Yes, they've got the players to do it, but the principle can be copied. Once they get towards the half way line each pass goes forward, sometimes long, but on the floor. You don't see much unnecessary passing of the ball around the opposition box, they're constantly looking for through balls and asking questions of the opposition defence - one mistake and they're in. Of course, it relies on movement off the ball and pace.

As Villa are showing, you don't have to play tiki taka stuff as they don't. You can be direct, but it needs to be done well, not aimless long ball stuff.