But despite Villa's domination, they failed to provide the spark to unlock the City back line.
BBC: SPORT | Football | Premier League | Man City 1-0 Aston Villa
At that time Ayala was the sweeper in an Argentina back line which defended very deep.
Just as critical, Thompson said, is to press Bale early, before he can slip in behind a back line.
But Fulham still could not break down Birmingham's impressive back line, and McLeish's men held on for a well-earned three points.
Paul Sykes struggled in the back line and on 55 minutes he was caught out of position which allowed Vatuvai to complete his hat-trick.
The midfield supports the strikers, rather than retreating into the back line.
And after 22 minutes the 31-year-old was sent on for the injured McCann, moving into the centre-half position in a re-jigged Caley back line.
Nottingham dominated possession for large parts of the game against the Knights, but a young back line was unable to make the visitors pay.
Parreira achieved an admirable balance between attack and defence because the back line were so well protected by the central midfielders Dunga and Mauro Silva.
Bradley's term was mixed he reached the second round in 2010 with an aging back line, but expectations have risen and fans wanted more.
Shooters, or ranged creatures, can only deploy to the back line.
The Blues' preparations had suffered a blow as the late withdrawal of full-back Ben Blair with a hamstring injury prompted a reorganisation of their back line.
With an average height of 6-foot-3, the team's starting back line is the tallest to take the field in the Six Nations during the modern era.
With six of their seven starters aged 25 or younger, this powerhouse back line could be bowling over opponents and fans alike for years to come.
The ball was moved quickly across the back line, giving wing Fenby an easy run to the corner for a try that was improved by Priestland.
Wayne Rooney emerged from his first-half shell to bring a first save out of Petr Cech and tested Chelsea's back line with a couple of bursting runs.
The full throated chants had barely subsided when Ronaldo ran through a big gap in the Barcelona back line and shot past Victor Valdes on 22 minutes.
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Osman almost immediately had a chance to put Everton back in front as he scampered in behind the Villa back line, but Dunne and Warnock came sliding across.
That is reflected in Saturday's starting line-up, which includes seven members of the Munster pack and four of number eight Jamie Heaslip's Leinster team-mates in the back line.
After centre Jon Davies was brought down a metre short on the right, the ball was returned along the back line for Daniel to cross on the other flank.
On several occasions there was a distinct lack of communication between Barthez and his back line - a two-goal deficit only being prevented by the quick feet of Denis Irwin.
In the past 17 games stretching back to last season, the team has fielded 10 different combinations across the back line and goalkeeper as they scrambled to find their best lineup.
Granted, the back line of the Knicks' defense is missing enforcers Marcus Camby and Rasheed Wallace (both are rehabbing left-foot injuries), but the numbers are somewhat troublesome for a team with title hopes.
Adventurous Pompey were looking to expose Villa's high back line and, Sol Campbell and Carew, reminiscent of two heavyweight boxers, were in a constant battle for scraps of possession when the home side pushed on.
Their three centre halves, sat deep, made it tough for Agbonlahor to break the back line, and they always had a spare man to either track the front-runner or follow Heskey when he dropped a little deeper.
But that squad rotation left Arsenal looking ragged in the opening stages, with a lack of cohesion causing possession to be wasted frequently and a nervous-looking back line leaving Wenger's side exposed against the pace of N'Zogbia and power of Hugo Rodallega.
Shortly after Paul Sykes weaved through the back-line to put Bradford back in touch.
The RS line is now back to stronger support, line e, that goes back to the 2011 highs.
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