So far, so good in South Asia.
On Saturday, Aston Villa defeated Indonesia All Stars 1-3 in a friendly. Villa took the lead early on, with many thinking a cricket score was inevitable, however the hosts came inches off drawing level at around the half hour mark and the scoreline was lucky to stay put. However, just before half time, Ross Barkley struck the bottom corner and doubled our lead and Villa went into the break 2 goals to the good. Following half-time changes, Villa grabbed one more courtesy of Brian Madjo, who was fed by Luka Lynch for his fourth goal of the pre-season campaign. The hosts grabbed a consolation and the score ended 1-3.
I must confess, I only watched the first half courtesy of an Indonesian Youtube channel who were streaming the game, and I thought we looked uninspiring, prompting me to think that we needed a bit more practice against high level opposition going into the season, which I actually think, not to disrespect the Super Cup competition, will come against Paris Saint Germain on August 12th. I was pleased to see Madjo on the scoresheet and to see us get the win.
On Tuesday, or today if you’re reading on publish date, Villa defeated BG Pathum United by the same score of 1-3. Courtesy of a brilliant app brought to my attention by a contributor on the blog, I was able to watch the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half of the match on a fantastic stream. Before I switched on, goals from Buendia and Lindelof saw us 0-2 up at half time – two players who had a great finish to the 25/26 campaign and played parts in our historic Europa League success (I had to find a way to bring that up!). The big story was Kamara being back in the squad for the first time since January, wearing his Number 8 shirt, and would you believe he actually found the net on his first game back one minute into his cameo! A fantastic touch by Hemmings and a steady strike into the bottom right corner, which saw Pathum finished off. Mind you, in similar fashion to All Stars, Pathum netted a consolation courtesy of an unstoppable goal which I had no option but to applaud.
Overall, a great day. The day begun with Brian Madjo’s appeal being upheld, in which I logged straight onto the site to deliver the fantastic news. Despite a delayal in kick-off, I was able to watch a decent chunk of the game and saw some really promising individual performances in the second half. We have to talk about Madjo’s strength as well, bodying the Pathum player to the floor in the penalty area! I’d love to know actually, would a Premiership referee have bottled it and given a foul, I absolutely think yes.
Our final pre-season outing before the Super Cup final, Villa relive a special but recent memory of us all – Bayern Munich. This time in Hong Kong, which I’d have actually loved to have gone to. Whatever the result, just remember we beat them in the one that mattered! I hope both teams go strong, and I imagine we will as it is our last test before the Super Cup final so Emery should be looking for the starters in the final to have a chance to gel together before the big game.
Hopefully I’ll be able to tune into that one!
UTV! COYL!
Good points Alfie. I really thought Pathum weee dirty. The foul on Garnacho was reminiscent of fouls from The Mean Machine with Burt Reynolds. Garnacho has laid the ball off and was running into space and their opposition (former Burton player) deliberately dropped his should onto Garnacho’s face. Buendia was going bonkers over the two fouls he had, both deliberately late and with intent. I missed the foul on McGinn, by all accounts another late one. Currently no one knows if he will be out for a period of time with the resulting knee.
There needs to be a clear understanding when arranging these friendlies that deliberate dirty play will result in financial penalties having to be paid. Marseille last year were disgusting, when played last season friendly . Ironically the manager was De Zerbi, whose rocked up at Spurs and their is now bad blood between our teams, watch this space this season.
I still remember when Gordon Cowans had his leg snapped in half in a preseason friendly. Currently with SCR restrictions, we just cannot afford to loose players to dirty pre season tactics. I think we need to up our vetting of teams to play in pre season. I appreciate we need to spread the Villa brand for revenue, but the loss of someone like a McGinn, through unnecessary tactics is more significant to our short term growth, than sell a couple thousand shirts in a different country.
Agreed Sid – Edwards was the prime culprit and seemed intent on making a point – or should I say mark. Friendly or not he should have seen red but the ref seemed very reluctant to issue any cards until late on.
The foul on McGinn was more a result of him being too quick for their player and the injury a result of jarring his knee – hopefully not serious.
Tbh there was a mismatch between these teams and, I thought, a poor selection of opponents – the mismatch resulting in late (but not malicious) tackles and a sense of frustration from the Thai players.
I understand Villa’s commercial drivers in going to Indonesia / Thailand but I wonder whether the risks are worth it – hopefully McGinn’s injury is not serious.
On knee injuries, it’s reported that Manzambi is going to be missing for several weeks with the knee injury picked up in the World Cup. Villa must have been aware from his medical so trust it isn’t major. No doubt we’ll be onto FIFA for compo!
Finally, Garnacho looks very unfit to me – did anyone else get the same impression? Either that or he just couldn’t be ar**d – I hope it’s the former.
Hi Sid and Hitch, do you remember Alex Croply who was also Crocked in a so-called friendly, regarding Cowens, I got into a discussion with Deadly Dug seeing that incident, the games of today are now so tight that players are told to stop certain players at all cost in games, I think Ganacho was targeted, I totally agree with you both that punishment for injury of that nature should be investigated and clubs punished.
Man Citeh are specialists at it. Circular Fouling they call it. Different players targeting the same opponent to take him out of the game.
What’s the news on Big Brian? I heard we may be able to field him sooner than later…
Appeal won at CAS so young Mr, Madjo can be registered with immediate effect and play for Villa in competitive matches.
Good news all round albeit the Manzambi injury is of concern.
I remember Cropley well; great little player.
Manzabe is concerning as is super john really hope his injury isn’t too bad as he’s the main man
I’m a bit concerned about this pre season. Anyone who thinks our results in Asia is something to be excited about are being over optimistic. A worrying injury to McGinn on the back of hearing Manzambi won’t be ready for a number of weeks and will likely miss the start of the season. Continual talks of Konsa, Martinez and Watkins leaving is disruptive as we just can’t replace these players who are the spine of our team. Signing Chelsea cast offs while they and Man United plunder our best players. Losing our key coaching staff with MacPhee the latest to go. Apart from Madjo getting clearance to play, I fail to see the positives before we start playing decent teams starting with Bayern on Friday.
Can someone please explain why we should be looking forward to the start of the season. I would imagine Emery is getting more and more frustrated with the limitations at a club unable to compete financially with the Sky 6.
The injury to Manzambi is a worry but surely Villa would have picked it up during his medical? Hopefully the McGinn knee isn’t serious.
Countering some of the clickbait – Martinez agent has confirmed that he isn’t agitating for a move (didn’t last summer either) is happy to stay and would only move if it suited all parties – Ollie has also said that he is not looking to move and has discounted the Fenerbahce rumours (source My Old Man Said).
The Konsa one is of more concern.
I agree with you on results in pre-season; the Asia games were good training exercises – nothing more – but in the same way neither the win at Walsall nor the two subsequent losses are any more meaningful.
What is encouraging is the performances of some of the younger players that we want to see coming through to the first team squad and there’s a decent list that impressed – particularly Alysson, Madjo, Cisse and Hemmings but also Ned, TJ Carrol, Rowe and Lynch showed real promise.
It seems we’ve also agreed a deal to buy 24 year old Italian left back Ruggeri from Athletico for around £18m plus add ons and are actively pursuing other deals.
So, no, I’m no more worried about the coming season than any other since Emery joined us – he has squeezed every last drop out of this squad and, ageing as it is, a reboot is necessary.
I suspect Newcastle supporters are far more concerned than us?
Emery is indeed rebooting and it is necessary; I’m very pleased to see the average age of the squad coming down and I hope Hemmings will break through this season.
With regards to the coaching staff, having read half of Balague’s book, Unai has previous of freshening things up in that department to keep himself on his toes; I believe it’s all part of the plan (apart from Austin). It is also a positive as Unai has shown he’s willing and able to tweak how his team plays, in order to keep the opposition on their toes. In other words, if anyone thinks they know how Villa will play and how to play them, they may well be in for a surprise come the new season. Additionally and on the same line, I think we could see a higher tempo to Villa’s play, given the younger legs in the team. New coaches, new ideas…
I agree on Konsa – losing him would be a blow that would impact. All we can do is wait and hope on that one…
Generally, I think it’s exciting to see so many new players about to perform in the claret and blue; we’ve had 6-7 years of mostly the same. Manzambi, Gomes, Garnacho, Madjo, Alysson, Hemmings…all will hopefully light up Villa Park, the PL and the CL in the coming months. I’d really like to see Ned given a ‘fair crack of the whip’ (to quote Big Ron).
Finally, Villa (coaching staff and players) must learn the lessons from last year and not allow the window to unsettle them. We cannot have such a bad start to the season as last year – we really can’t! Losing Konsa late in the window is the risk here and the club cannot allow it to happen – unless 80 million is laid out and a suitable replacement is in place (which is close to impossible).
Anyway…UTMFV!!!
Absolutely BFR – glad you’re enjoying the book – I read it twice as so much detail to absorb. Balague is on record as saying he’ll update it following the Europa Cup win.
I think (hope) the poor start to last season was a hangover from the Old Trafford match and CL robbery! No such hangover from last season – everyone should be buzzing.
Apart from McGinn no worries so far this pre-season. I hzve enjoyed watching the younger players and at last feel that some of them may actually make the first eleven at some point.
Lots will be happening between now and the window closing but so far I’m quite optimistic about this season.
Todays team. Crazy that McGuin and Garnacho are out already. No sign of Barclay either since the first two games.
Aston Villa
40, Bizot, Goalkeeper
2, Cash, Defender
3, Lindelöf, Defender
14, Torres, Defender
22, Maatsen, Defender
8, Kamara, Defensive Midfielder
35, João Gomes, Defensive Midfielder
29, Guessand, Attacking Midfielder
10, Buendía, Attacking Midfielder
53, Hemmings, Attacking Midfielder
39, Madjo, Striker
Subs
12, Asemota, Substitute
18, Abraham, Substitute
26, Bogarde, Substitute
83, Burrowes, Substitute
71, Carroll, Substitute
74, Lynch, Substitute
5, Mings, Substitute
20, Nedeljkovic, Substitute
45, Rowe, Substitute
64, Wright, Substitute
Away kit out today no sponsor what are they playing at were supposed to bring the home top with the sponsor out today as well
Guessand really is awful!
And Villa concede to a set piece – poor
Probably offside though 🤔
I am struggling to believe what I am seeing
Villa are simply cr*p – we’ll be in serious trouble if we don’t play better than this in either EPL or CL – simply no competition.
Could easily be 4 or 5 nil – we haven’t managed a single shot in the whole game.
Hitch, Spot on about Guessand he’s rubbish, in fact Hitch the whole team is disjointed, when we start I bet you it will like last year take time to get together.
How can Luiz Diaz be available if our world cup players are unavailable
The difference in quality is simply staggering and Bayern haven’t got their full side out. 2-0 Diaz.
15 minutes to go and Villa can’t even get across the halfway line!
Our full backs are being skinned alive.
We are going to steal this on penalties
Sounds fun, lads. Glad I’m not watching! The plan, though, is for Unai to dissect the mess post match, in order to fix things in good time. What did we actually expect against the best attacking team in Europe?
Oh, and everyone knows Guessand is a lummox, and more suited to pub football. Thanks, Monchi.
Gomes looks really good and Lynch could be the surprise. We picked our heads up for 15 mins and have them a fright.
Last 15 minutes much better and Abraham maybe should have equalised (which would have been a travesty)
First 75 minutes we were far too narrow with no wingers – shades of Sir Alf Ramsey and 1966 – but ineffective. Kept getting in each others way. Last 15 we had width and played quicker.
Lynch was impressive, as was Rowe (who can right or left back) which, if we sign Ruggeri and with Ned, might mean we don’t need to sign another full back.
Onwards and, hopefully can only be upwards.
Tammy should of buried the header ffs
Anyone worried about this Italian left back coming in? Sounds like a proper ‘fruit’ with recent (very disturbing) mistermeanours well publicised. He must be some full-back in the Villa are risking that type in the dressing room. The media will be all over him. And the club… 😬
* Oxford dictionary update:
Ruggering (vb). The act of pleasuring oneself while listening to racist voice messages, commonly recorded in a sensual female voice.
Allegations made by a well known and discredited Italian gossip monger who has, in the past, been found guilty of defamation and made broad unsubstantiated claims of wide spread match fixing in Italy.
I can only find one article so I suspect most media outlets are steering clear given the source.
Innocent until proven guilty. – we’ll see if the transfer still goes ahead.
I thought it was proven, Hitch. ‘My bad’ if it wasn’t.
I couldn’t find anything to suggest it had gone beyond the claims published by this Italian gossip monger with a dodgy history.
The article I read was dated June 26 on Yahoo Sports and stated that Ruggeri had not responded to or made any comments on the allegations.
I assume that Villa, like any sensible organisation, would have checked the guy out?
No doubt we’ll hear more if there is any substance to the ‘rumours’.
Haaa haaaa bfr cracker
Its really sad to see Youri Tielemans playing for Man Utd. On a pitch with Paris Saint-Germain he is still a Rolls Royce of a player. Sorely missed already
Sadly agree, Gerry.
If Palinha does come in, I’d love to be there when he comes face to face with new team mates Kamara and Watkins – ‘awks’. Although, as much as I hate to admit it, he would be a fantastic addition to the midfield.
So on wednesday the two best clubs in Europe are playing to be the no 1 club in Europe, and therefore the world, what are the rest of footballs elite doing. Chelsea, Newcastle, Everton, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester United, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest are playing pointless friendlies. I think its called denial. However there are no FA games on that night.
I know it sounds far-fetched, but looking at the players Villa are apparently looking to bring in and based on the fact Unai reached the CL semis with Villareal (not to mention quarters with Villa), it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the target this season is a full-blown assault on the CL final. Just thought I’d put that out there as ‘food for thought.’
Please note: aiming and hitting are not the same, although you’re far more likely to hit if you aim!