Pre-Season Friendlies

[LukeJames]

Smart goals from Hogan. I think he'll be a big hit this season.

Keep playing the balls into him in the manner in which we did today and he'll bury them all day long. Keep playing the balls long and isolating him as we did on too many occasions last season and he'll look lost.

[Toronto Villa]

I loved what Hogan did and what he's capable of. I wonder how it all comes together when Jimmy D is fit again?

[peter w]

Its almost like a different set-up with kodjia but you have to try and play them together to see if it works. I doubt it will and I doubt he'll be a Villa player in 12 months time.

[eamonn]

Lovely way of letting the ball run effectively for Scotty's second.

[SirSteveUK]

Kodjia should play off Hogan - that would work.  JK always looks better coming from wide.

[tomd2103]

Just watched both games.  Some things of note I felt:

- Played 4-4-2 in both games.  Surely going to begin the season with that formation

- Sides were a bit mix and match, but combinations starting to come together - Chester and Terry in central defence, Whelan and Lansbury in central midfield, Elmohamady and Green starting in the wings together

- Hogan looked sharp and scored two excellent goals

- After a while in the second game, Grealish went into a more central 'number 10' role and had a few passes threaded through to him.  If we are to get the best out of Hogan, then I think playing that kind of formation might be the best way.  If Grealish can finally crack it this season and become the player we all hope he will be, then that might be a partnership that could really be one to watch.

[Perthvillan]

That was a relief after watching our earlier pre-season games.
The defence was solid as a rock in both games.
Elmo looks like he might be okay.
We showed some energy and wanting to get at the other side instead of going through the motions.
The young boys performed well and Hogan shows what he is capable of given some service.
I particularly liked his second against Duisberg as he had a bit to do to get goal side of their defender and then slot it in the corner as the keeper came out.
Roll on the real thing.

[Drummond]

I liked the way Samba celebrated his goal with a simple fist pump.  I felt that it meant something to him.

McKirdy looks a grumpy fucker, and I like grumpy in my footballers, to me, it shows they're committed and don't like losing.

I think the trophy is made of polystyrene, it must be because if it isn't nobody would be able to lift it.  Either that or Balsa wood.

Is Balsa our new super-strong centre forward?

[passitsideways]

I liked the way Samba celebrated his goal with a simple fist pump.  I felt that it meant something to him.

McKirdy looks a grumpy fucker, and I like grumpy in my footballers, to me, it shows they're committed and don't like losing.

I think the trophy is made of polystyrene, it must be because if it isn't nobody would be able to lift it.  Either that or Balsa wood.

Is Balsa our new super-strong centre forward?

I woodn't count on it

[CT]

We'll be pine up front with Kodj and Hogan.

[Scratchins]

If only we could get Ash back again.

[QuintonVilla]

Loved the old school slow version of 'Holte Enders In The Sky', that's how it should be sung. Bring it back.

[Mister E]

We'll be pine up front with Kodj and Hogan.

They may get some needle.

[brian green]

Balsa is too lightweight up front.  We need somebody larch.

[oldtimernow]

So long as he has the enthusiasm for the club that Birchy had