Pre-season 2023/24

[Risso]

The real question is, what did the Italian folk think of the balti pies?

And Walsall. Must have been quite the eye-opener after Rome.

[pauliewalnuts]

I imagine the facilities at Bescot were much better than at the dilapidated Olimpico.

Before last night lazio had played four preseason games and won them all without conceding a single goal.

[RamboandBruno]

Tielemans is a level above Luiz / Kamara but they will benefit and learn from his class

Luiz? He'd be the first name I'd put down on the team sheet. He was at half pace today and was still the best player on the pitch by a country mile. Kamara needs to get up to speed or he could be the one to lose his place to Tielemans.

I thought Tielemans was a cut above anyone else . He's a notch above Luiz.

I was there last night and am now so excited about the start of the season.

Tielemans was outstanding last night but i wouldn’t be jumping ahead of yourself with judgement on how far he is better than Luiz on that performance. Dougie was pretty special when he came on, as Rudy says Luiz would be the first name on the team sheet  for me. I thought Kamara was excellent too. From last night, i now really wouldn’t be surprised if the three of them started against Newcastle, with McGinn and Diaby either side of Ollie.

I thought Coutinho was terrific as well and if he can play like that, he could force his way back into the team, especially for the euro games.

Ive slated him but i even thought Olsen did ok.

The only player i thought didn’t show enough was Beundia.

So many options. Whose the centre back pairing for the first game??

[taylorsworkrate]

I think the back 4 against Newcastle will be Cash, Konsa, Mings and Torres.

With Torres sitting at LCB/LB and Cash getting forward on the other side

[Chris Smith]

The Athletic suggesting a variation on a three centre back system.

   https://theathletic.com/4724125/2023/08/04/unai-emery-aston-villa-mings-torres/ 

[Neil Hawkes]

For those of us who couldn't watch, any chance of seeing the goals and having a match report, pretty please?  Sounds like we played well from reading this thread?

Watkins Goal
https://twitter.com/Sh3_aw/status/1687179823183974400 (From Rudy's stream it is so slow mo

 Mcginn Goal
https://twitter.com/Sh3_aw/status/1687194150079225856 (from fan in good line for it

Haven't found Revan's/ the OG.

Match highlights are on you tube

[dicedlam]

Tielemans is a level above Luiz / Kamara but they will benefit and learn from his class

Luiz? He'd be the first name I'd put down on the team sheet. He was at half pace today and was still the best player on the pitch by a country mile. Kamara needs to get up to speed or he could be the one to lose his place to Tielemans.

Agree about Luiz. He should be the first name on the team sheet.
That midfield though! Maybe only Arsenal comes anywhere close to what we have in that department.

It was also great seeing the Coutinho shimmy once again. He has got his mojo is back!

[Brazilian Villain]

The real question is, what did the Italian folk think of the balti pies?

I wonder if they picked up any fashion / style tips from the locals.

[manic-road]

Enjoyed the match last night, the midfield gelled well and Youri had a very good game. Interesting to see Bailey and Moussa start the first half, that is some serious pace to attack with.

Can't wait for the season to start because we are looking like a really good team, we are playing some really good football at the moment.

[Clampy]

I've only seen the highlights but it sounds like we played some very good stuff again. I can't remember the last time we had a midfield that didn't pick itself. It's very encouraging.

[AV84]

How "in the know" is Dean Jones? I see him saying this morning that Digne and Coutinho will be allowed to leave this window. But he then goes on to say that offers have to actually come in first before we can judge where Villa stand on them. So..... sounds like a semi educated assumption rather than any actual knowledge.

[VillaTim]

Dean Jones, who's that

[Dave P]

Absolutely loved watching us last night. The workrate in defence and the dynamism in attack is like nothing I’ve seen before. I’ve had a shit eating grin watching all of our games this preseason.

[nigel]

Have to admit I really like the all claret version of our kit

[chrisw1]

Tielemans is a level above Luiz / Kamara but they will benefit and learn from his class

Luiz? He'd be the first name I'd put down on the team sheet. He was at half pace today and was still the best player on the pitch by a country mile. Kamara needs to get up to speed or he could be the one to lose his place to Tielemans.

I thought Tielemans was a cut above anyone else . He's a notch above Luiz.

He's a good player and had a good game in a friendly.

He's done nothing yet to suggest he's a notch above Luiz.  Doug is probably our best player now and if Youri gets his peak form back and pushes him then great.  But suggesting he's a notch above Luiz is a bit daft in my opinion.