Here’s John Townley’s assessment of the Aston Villa players following defeat to Walsall in pre-season
Our dedicated Aston Villa reporter is always on the pulse of all things claret and blue, from major talking points to transfer news to match action, John Townley will bring you the very latest from Bodymoor Heath and Villa Park.
Aston Villa opened their pre-season programme with a 1–0 defeat to Walsall at the Bescot Stadium.
Harrison Burke scored the only goal of the game in the 38th minute, diverting a shot from outside the box past Filip Marschall, who was left rooted to the spot.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper had come on to replace Joe Gauci after the Australian picked up a knock earlier in the half.
Gauci nearly gifted the hosts an early goal when he lost possession while trying to play out from the back, but he made amends with a smart save soon after.
Not long later, he punched Albert Adomah’s cross clear, but appeared to suffer a problem in the process – possibly the reason he was forced off shortly afterward.
The likes of Ross Barkley, Pau Torres, Lamare Bogarde, and Jacob Ramsey all started the friendly but were replaced at the break.
Unai Emery made 10 changes in total, introducing first-team regulars such as Tyrone Mings, Andrés Garcia, and Boubacar Kamara. Yasin Özcan also featured, playing at left-back.
Villa’s best chance in the first hour of the game came when Charlie Pavey headed Bradley Burrowes’ cross narrowly wide from close range.
Then, in the 75th minute, Burrowes set Villa away on the counter-attack, but Lewis Dobbin strike at the end of it was saved brilliantly by Sam Hornby.
A second chance for Pavey came soon after, but his chipped effort hit the side-netting.
First half player ratings
Joe Gauci Gauci gave the ball away while trying to play out from the back but redeemed himself with a good save. He appeared to pick up a knock after punching a cross clear inside the box and was replaced before the hour mark by Marschall.
Triston Rowe The young right-back played with energy and linked up well with Kadan Young when pushing forward.
Yeimar Mosquera The Colombia youth international is an imposing defender and showed impressive pace when dealing with balls played in behind. At times, he was a little too eager to win possession back.
Pau Torres Torres played several lovely balls in behind the Walsall defence, though Louie Barry and Jamal Jimoh-Aloba couldn’t quite connect with them.
Alex Moreno Set to leave Villa this summer, Moreno started at the Bescot. He maintained width well on the left and provided a useful outlet.
Lamare Bogarde Bogarde covered the right flank well and showed composure in possession while playing in the double pivot. One of Villa’s stronger performers in the first half.
Ross Barkley Barkley got around the pitch effectively and linked play nicely. He produced some lovely touches to escape pressure, though not everything he tried came off.
Kadan Young Young was characteristically positive in possession but couldn’t quite make an impact down the right on this occasion.
Jamal Jimoh-Aloba One of the stars of the FA Youth Cup-winning side, Jimoh-Aloba operated as the number 10 but struggled to get into the game as much as he’d have liked.
Jacob Ramsey Ramsey found dangerous positions and carried the ball well. He combined neatly in the final third.
Louie Barry Barry, who’s expected to join Sheffield United on loan, led the line in Villa’s pre-season opener. He showed noticeable improvement compared to 12 months ago, just before his prolific spell at Stockport County.
Second-Half Player Ratings
Filip Marschall Marschall could do nothing about Walsall’s opening goal.
Andres Garcia It may only be Walsall in the first pre-season game, but Garcia played like he had a point to prove. A big summer lies ahead for him.
TJ Carroll Just days after signing a new contract, the young centre-back partnered Mings in the second half. He’d have learned an awful lot from it too, which is the purpose of this game for the club’s younger lads.
Tyrone Mings Played a few searching balls over the top, forcing Walsall goalkeeper Myles Roberts to come off his line. Very cool under pressure.
Yasin Özcan This was fans’ first chance to see Özcan in person. He started at left-back but is also a confident centre-back. Liked the look of him on the ball. Crashed an effort into the side netting from distance late on.
Boubacar Kamara Kamara made a couple of key interceptions shortly after coming on at the start of the second half.
George Hemmings The midfielder was a standout in Villa’s U18 success last season and looks to have a bright future. Playing alongside Kamara would have been an invaluable experience for him.
Bradley Burrowes A lively winger, Burrowes looked to take on his man at every opportunity. His cross led to Villa’s first real scoring chance, just before the 60th minute.
Charlie Pavey Villa’s best chance of the first 60 minutes fell to Pavey, who tried to guide Burrowes’ cross into the far corner but missed by inches. Some 15 minutes later, the young forward came close to scoring again, but his chipped effort fell wide of the target.
Travis Patterson A versatile player capable of featuring in midfield or further forward, Patterson has often been used at full-back but played in a more advanced role today.
Lewis Dobbin Dobbin led the line in the second half but saw little of the ball until late on when he was presented with a big chance to score, but was thwarted by goalkeeper Hornby.
Subs not used: Sam Proctor (GK)
GOALS
Walsall: Burke (38′)
Aston Villa: N/A
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