Set-piece coaches are a bit like Marmite; you either love them or hate them.
Either way, you certainly cant get away from them. Whether its Nicolas Jover racing to the Arsenal touchline every time theres a throw-in at the Emirates, or Brentford literally promoting their former dead-ball tactician to the top job in Keith Andrews.
Aston Villa are another side in on the act through Austin MacPhee, but hes not been as visible of late.
Aston Villa set-piece coach Austin MacPhee has not been seen on the touchline
The Villans took the lead from a corner just before the 20-minute mark, with Matty Cash taking one touch to get the driven pass out of his feet on the edge of the box, and another to smash it beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma.
It looked every inch a training ground job, but there was no MacPhee on the touchline to nonchalantly take the plaudits, as figures in his role often do.
The touch and finish from Matty Cash pic.twitter.com/E6AIaLj5HWOctober 26, 2025
But fear not! MacPhee did make it onto the screen following Cashs opener, along with the reason he has been out of the spotlight.
The broadcast from Sky Sports showed that MacPhee was indeed sat in the technical area, iPad at his side, with his leg in a support.
Commentator Bill Leslie later revealed that the Scottish coach has suffered a patella injury, picked up while on duty in his second role, as assistant head coach of Portugals national team under Roberto Martinez.
That didnt stop him taking the limelight for just a second on Sky, his beaming smile showing exactly what he thought of his contribution to the Villans opener.
In FourFourTwos opinion, while we of course wish MacPhee a speedy recovery from his injury, his fellow set-piece coaches could learn a thing or two.
They look much more at home sat in the dugout, tapping away on a device, than seemingly assuming the powers of the man in charge on the touchline.
Unai Emery wont have too many concerns where the Scot is, however, as long as he can keep churning out such productive routines.
