Aston Villa got the serious part of their preseason started in Philadelphia with a 3-3 draw against Newcastle in the Premier League Summer Series. It was an entertaining game for the assembled neutrals and international supporters, though Emery won’t be happy conceding three. Chelsea-Brighton finished 4-3, and Fulham-Brentford finished 3-2. So, lots of goals and good exposure in the opening round for some of the less familiar sides in the US.

Shipping three goals aside, it was a decent performance with plenty to be happy about. Given these games are against league opponents, there’s been an intensity that’s often missing from preseason encounters. The weather has definitely been a factor, with high heat and humidity, but it doesn’t seem to have deterred the players much. There was always going to be lots of chopping and changing, as per in these affairs.

Villa got off to a fast start with goals from Ollie and Buendia (deservedly MOTM) to glide ahead 2-0 inside of 12 minutes. But unlike league performances under Emery, it didn’t turn out to be a lead Villa could hold. There was a bit of sloppiness, bits of luck good and bad, and the usual attacks on the high line. I’m not expecting that to be any more of an issue than it was last season, because Villa aren’t the only side that play that way and it’s not like some secret sauce has been discovered. Some days it can simply bite you in the ass just like any other setup. You could also point out that Villa could’ve easily had another 2-3 goals, which is saying something as the barcodes fielded a very strong side to start.

Eddie Howe made some adjustments after Villa were moving through them ease, and some of the fluidity dried up. But with all the substitutions and conditions, you know how these things go. Villa certainly were easy equals to Newcastle, though they do currently have a bit more depth than Villa. In the early going, Villa looked very good going forward.

Performances
As mentioned, Emi Buendia was the standout player, was really hungry for it. Ollie took his chance calmly. John McGinn had a good McGinn game starting in the second attacker role, which was a bit of twist. Jaden Philogene had an effective start, great pace and control, and showed the time on loan has done him well. He almost set up Omari Kellyman for what would’ve been a lovely goal. But the shot was parried onto the post and Buendia swept the rebound home, instead, for Villa’s third. Elsewhere, Carlos looked predictably rusty, and Pau will have some settling to do. Naturally we’ll find out what Emery’s thinking with his CB rotation/pairings as the summer progresses, but had to be hard coming on cold paired with Carlos. Kamara looked maybe a bit sluggish. Dougie had a good outing. Tielemans looked calm and composed as you’d expect.

You’ll likely have seen some talk about the fullbacks, and I’m guessing that everyone’s calls for competition for Cash will be answered. I’m also guessing that Moreno’s absence and the links to other midfield and attacking players will probably see Digne stay. But you never know. Mings and Konsa were fine, overall. I’ll have to watch a replay to see about Archer, Revan, and company.

As the week progresses, it looks like Phil and Leon will be back and Sanson will be gone yet again. But everyone is naturally most excited about Diaby. I’ll be at the final match in DC this Sunday, so I’m really looking forward to seeing him, as well as seeing the other new arrivals. As far as the matches themselves, I though Villa definitely looked a cut above Fulham and Brentford. Missed the drama-fueled Chelsea-Brighton game, so can’t comment there.

Anyway, good hard minutes against a deep and talented side, and nothing to suggest that Villa can’t be aiming high again.

Over to you.

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John Clark
John is co-owner of AVL, and has followed the Villa since the '70s. A journalist by trade, he is, by most accounts, a very nice person. You can follow me on Twitter @JClarkKohoutek. It's an astonishing experience. Or a complete waste of time.

Comments 37

  1. Archie

    Good run out Sunday and they looked sharp……..what’s our defensive pairing going to be ……..first choice I mean……..

  3. Plug

    As always, thanks for the report JC. Thought the Wai Ayes first and third goals would have been chalked off by VAR if in use. Carlos remains a concern for me, but maybe he needs time to get up to speed due to his long injury layoff. Agreed also about Kamara looking sluggish, but then again Tonali didn’t look any great shakes either.

    Overall, Unai was happy so therefore I am too. Once this squad settles, it’ll be very competitive. I note the bookies currently have us finishing 9th. That’s as laughable as our local comic reporting Inter Milan have offered less than £13 million for Martinez having sold Onana to ManUre for £50 million.

  4. John Clark

    Archie,

    They are a good combo, Konsa and Mings, and the defensive record with Emery supports that. I get Torres for his distribution and calm on the ball. Will be interesting to see, Unai did say a back three is a possibility at times.

    Overall, think we’ll see more tactical tweaks as time goes by.

    And we did look very sharp at the start. Emi coming left to right into the center, the way we got through their press. Was all very good.

  5. John Clark

    Plug,

    I was wondering about VAR myself. We had a lot of very tight decisions go our way last year. At least that’s the one aspect of the system that’s hard to argue with.

    Loved Emi taking Tonali out. 5’7″, and welcome to the PL.

    I think 9th is a bit silly, might be because of the extra games, might just be to sway the early action.

    Milan can do one.

  6. Plug

    It was a comfortable work out last night. Mostly in control except perhaps the 15 minutes after half time. Only one real scare for me was when Wilson should have scored. Otherwise, it’s always a bit disjointed with so many changes.

    Nice shot for his goal from Diaby. We are going to be dangerous against teams who play a high line. Must also say our bench looked strong at last.

    Think we are still too slow playing out from the back, especially with Konsa and Mings in the 2nd half. This aspect needs sharpening up. First half, Pau and Carlos were a bit quicker at it I thought. We might easily have scored 4. Times are looking promising guys.

  7. Plug

    Unai was once again happy. He’s getting to try some different formations which is going to make us tactically agile.

  8. John Clark

    Plug,

    I was going to write something up after, but didn’t. Was an interesting exercise.

    Sometimes a back three with Torres, Carlos and Konsa, sometimes a four (with Konsa as RB).

    Me, I kind of saw it differently…seemed very disjointed and slow first half. All to be expected, as that was a major change in personnel, and Carlos and Pau really have no idea yet of what to expect from who’s in front of them.

    But, they did manage to keep shape off the ball and Fulham threatened very little despite a lot of possession. Philogene’s goal definitely felt like a smash-and-grab. Shame Archer missed the peno, I was saying “don’t let the guy that got fouled take it!”

  10. James Gill

    Emery is going to have his work cut out picking his best 11
    At the minute only 3 are certs martinez cash and watkins due to squad shortages in their positions
    Gave up last night at midnight they didn’t know what time kick off was,

  12. John Clark

    Another pet peeve (and I’ve said the same in the past) is every single person (players, pundits, etc) saying “it’s all about building fitness.”

    Yeah, they need the minutes after a whopping month off to get back up to game speed, but given their overall base fitness and the fact they continue to run/work out, it’s about a lot more than that in this day and age.

    Not like they’ve been knocking back pints all day on the beach (xcept for Jack, maybe) and eating lasagna three times a day.

  17. VillaMD

    I was at Villa match in Philly. Great game and atmosphere. I miss live football. Watching on tv is not the same. Buendia looked quality. Mings is a presence. It was great as all supporters were out for a good time, never saw a hint of trouble (unlike those awful scenes of Arsenal fans fighting against themselves).

    Win vs Fulham also a decent game. I was impressed with Pau. Popped up left winger, #10 and #6. Carlos also looked better. Hope Konsa doesn’t have a hamstring. Thought Seb Revan made a few nervous early mistakes, but he really grew into the game. Tielemans looks like a starter.

    Diaby is exciting. I thought he was just going to be all pace, but he can also pass like a #10. Wow!

    Typically when you bring on 10 subs preseason the game fizzles out. Not with Unai. My Toon buddy said their 2nd half yesterday vs Chelsea was at walking pace – no tackles

    UTV – excited for new season. Most excited since MoN days

  19. Plug

    Think our chances of winning the UEFA Conference League has just increased significantly now that UEFA have thrown Juventus out of the competition. We must be one of the favourites now.

  20. VillaMD

    Plug – wow, excellent news

    JC – Tielemans footage is crazy. I read that he played every match for Leicester as long as he was 1/2 fit. I think he got burned out. At Villa he’s not going to play every match, so we should see the best of him

    Louie Barry off to Stockport on loan. Last chance

    Wesley sold to Stoke. Cost 22m, but crazy tackle that broke him was not his fault. I wish him luck

  21. James Gill

    Match night again,hopefully it will start on time,probably the last friendly that we will be making as many subs,new signings gossip has died down

  22. VillaMD

    James, weather is perfect in Maryland. Heard Buendia has a knock. Local Villa Supporters have organized free food and beer in the stadium car park 3 hours before and after the match 🙂

  23. Plug

    That was a highly entertaining first half against the Bees. Some fabulous goals.

    Diaby will do. He knows where the goal is. Bidace will also do. Pau can pick a pass through the eye of a needle. Second half, more please Villa.

  24. VillaMD

    Plug,

    Yeah great 1st half. Some unreal football from water break to HT. Made Brentford look like a championship side. Thought SJM pulled the strings. Luiz and Diaz look good. Kamara was good, but got caught napping again. Game fizzled out last 20 mins. Pity Ollie didn’t convert one of his three good chances. Coutinho very rusty, couldn’t control the ball. Fair play to players as it was brutal hot. I had enough issues walking from car to stadium

    Nice having a prematch beer with JC. Thanks to MD and DC Villa Lions for organizing the free beers and food.

  27. Plug

    Well I envy VillaMD and JC meeting up for beer and watching the game. Wish I was there with you guys instead of wet through Brum.

    As a humble fan, I’m happy because Unai is happy. What did I make of it? As you say, Couts looked rusty when he came on. Likewise Bailey. Some great passing play between the players before the mass changes watered it down. Unlucky not to win I thought, Brentford scored 2 goals that I doubt those players will repeat this season. Konsa’s goal was worth the admission fee alone. Carlos looked solid when he entered the fray. Bidace may well be retained for the squad by Unai. He will destroy some of these European teams and may well put the frighteners on some EPL teams.

    Overall it’s looking extremely positive.

  28. VillaMD

    Plug – agree on your Villa comments. Wouldn’t mind less hot temperatures though.

    Will be interesting if we continue to play Watkins and Diaby as both #9’s. Watkins 5’11” and Diaby 5’1”

  29. James Gill

    So usa tour over,emery jas showed us he has plan a b c and probably more,diaby looks impressive brilliant fast feet first touch superb, torres will take a few weeks to settle and then tielmans class act
    Already trying to pick a team for first match and have probably bidace and Duran not making even bench with ramsay and moreno out injured ,looking good for new season

  33. John Clark

    Great fun, excellent to have a beer and chat with MD (lovely man), and see Villa look so good at times.

    Will get home tonight, watch a replay, and see how it looks from that vantage.

  34. VillaMD

    I think Unai will have learned from his experiments at the back.

    One lesson – Pau Torres is not a LB. He was at fault for Brentfords first two goals. He was in no man’s land for the 1st and got easily beaten for #2

  35. John Clark

    VillaMD,

    Will be interesting to see exactly what comes out of the summer, actually seeing Carlos play, and how Torres adapts.

    The first one, the runner seemed miles offside initially. Me, I was watching the ball rather than the runner. Couldn’t have been a finer margin on replay, just inside the half when it was played. From everything we’ve read (ie, smart, reads game well), I’m guessing that’s something that can simply be corrected.

    Second goal, he was skipped past very easily. I know one concern was his physicality. Not sure if sticking a leg out there is actually a physicality conversation, but he was caught flat-footed and that was a bit surprising. Preseason, risk of conceding a free kick, not risking injury…?

    So yeah, wondering what Emery’s learned, what we’ll be seeing against Lazio and Valencia.

    I suppose the question is whether Emery meant all along for Torres to play so wide in that kind of set-up, or whether he was evaluating him versus Mings there, etc.

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