Mateusz Klich has plenty to improve after enjoyable Leeds United tactical switch

Mateusz Klich believes he has plenty to improve on as a number four following an enjoyable switch in roles at Aston Villa.

The Polish international was required to move back from his usual attacking midfield position and sit in front of the defence last week after a switch in tactics from Marcelo Bielsa.

Jamie Shackleton was introduced in place of Pascal Struijk in the 21st minute at Villa Park, with worries over a potential dismissal looming after an early booking for the latter.

The substitution saw Klich drop into a more unfamiliar defensive role, as Bielsa reshuffled his men in the absence of the injured Kalvin Phillips.

United were fired to an impressive 3-0 victory by hat-trick hero Patrick Bamford with Klich and Shackleton putting in strong performances.

"I think you have to be more responsible when you are operating the ball than when you are a number eight, or number 10," Klich reflected on the tactical manoeuvre.

"You are closer to your own goal, so every time you lose the ball or are dispossessed it is a counter attack and in a danger zone.

"I have to say I quite like it, but it is difficult to score goals from there. I think my first position is a number eight, then a number 10.

"If I have to play, I can play number four. I feel very comfortable there as well, because you have more of the ball and you can dictate the game.

"You are further from the goal. I prefer to be nearer, but I can play there. I think I could still improve my defensive play.

"Especially defending in our half and one v one. Maybe heading the ball isn't my strongest thing either. It's an area where I can improve."

Asked about his and United's impressive early season form, he said: "I’m just trying to do everything that I did in the last two seasons in the Championship, trying to play the same way of football.

“As you can see, we play the same as a team and a lot of individual performances are similar to our last two seasons.

“To be fair when we play against different clubs than in the Championship we don’t really care, it’s all about us.

“We want to show that we’re good and we want to prove ourselves in the Premier League, which is so good so far."