Aston Villa are likely to lose another important figure in the team, and has been one of the key men in Unai Emery’s side.
Aston Villa transfer plan might be in need of adjustment following the latest development in Villa Park. One of their coaching staffs, Austin MacPhee, has been on the verge of moving to their Premier League rival.
Based on the update in X from Aston Villa correspondent in Birmingham mail, John Townley, the move has been confirmed.
“Austin MacPhee is leaving his role as Aston Villa’s set-piece coach to join Chelsea. He said his goodbyes to the staff and players today. It’s a big blow for Villa, who have held MacPhee’s work in high regard throughout his five-year spell at the club.”
Austin MacPhee eventually ended his five-year stint in Villa Park. MacPhee’s role was inevitably essential for Emery’s team’s success. Villa had scored 74 goals from set pieces in total during his time in the West Midlands. Last season, even Ollie Watkins and Co bagged 29 goals from dead ball situation alone. It is the highest goal scored by set piece in Europe during the 2025/26 season. They share such notable record with Arsenal, the Premier League champions.
MacPhee’s routine set piece works did not only make the difference in the match against the small teams but also in big decisive game. Last season, for example, one of the goals in their 4-2 win over Liverpool was the result of it. It was Morgan Rogers’s opener. In Europa League final in Istanbul, their first goal from Youri Tielemans was also part of the set piece drills.
The most logical reason on his departure is probably the fact that Chelsea has triggered his release clause. It was apparently inserted in his contract while joining The Lions. Such might be implying something more.
MacPhee might be seeking for a new challenge, preferably with more elite teams. Such is something he has yet to achieve so far in his career. He has been working for Portugal national team too since January 2026. The former Hearts caretaker seems to aim for more silverware with established top teams like Chelsea.
He might have seen that Villa’s peak performance was last season when they ended their 30-year title drought by winning Europa League. His spell with The Clarets and Blue was the second longest with one team.
His longest stint remains the time when he was working for Northern Ireland national team. He stayed for seven years from 2014 to 2021. MacPhee did help them qualify to EURO 2016 and even reached the round of 16. They had a chance to qualify again in 2020 edition but they failed in the playoff.
The 48-year old set-piece coach is set to replace their previous set piece coach, Bernardo Cueva, who has been given a new role under Xabi Alonso. The Spaniard clearly would like to improve the team’s form after their woeful season, including on the set-piece side, as it is considered important in the modern game.
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