Pre-season 2026

[Toronto Villa]

Still possibly recovering from his shoulder surgery or will feature at the weekend vs Porto.

[KNVillan]

Highlights from last night's game

https://youtu.be/C3kJDP9nhcA?si=WSQ-FSsf1KgHtnW0

[nigel]

That 5th goal was a great finish

[Richard]

Anybody know where Tammy was?

And Pau as not seen him in training pics either?

[Somniloquism]

Pau has been bomb squadded because he wants to leave on a free in 2 years time so Emery thought he would teach the ungrateful sod a lesson.

[jwarry]

Just watched the game.  Highlights were definitely the three young lads at the back first half, Ned, TJ and Cisse, Buendia and Ross were also good, and big Brian looks like he could be a handful but clearly is still,work in progress.  second half I really liked the look of Lynch. He’s got good feet and seems to have a bit of an attitude

[Dogtanian]

Yep, it was a pleasing game. You can't read too much into anything, as it's only one game and against lower league opposition. But the takeaway is that we have a bunch of young players who are going to have options this summer in terms of loans, and some of them may stick around to get experience in our first team squad.

Hemmings I think is one that the club categorically said is not for sale, and he got a little bit of playing time last season. He's definitely one to watch.

I'm fully expecting Cisse to be first team squad this season and be eased in. He's already done some training with the first team last season during a break for LASK, so hopefully he's going to settle in quickly. He also speaks English already, so that will help. That he stayed on past half time was also positive, though it could be for many reasons this early in pre-season.

Last year we were dire in this fixture, did we lose 1-0? It felt like a low, and although we had better games, we also went into the season in a funk. So with yesterday being very positive and such talent on display, I am hoping it's a sign that we are going to head into the season all guns blazing!

[jwarry]

Yes there seem to be more youngsters around this preseason that have a good chance of making it.  Cisse, TJ, Ned, Hemmings, Borland, Lynch, Brian, not forgetting Alysson and Manzambi are still kids

[Mister E]

That 5th goal was a great finish

I like the way Borland plays; he's got the antzy Scottish grit combined with an eye for the pass. Could he be the new SJM?
Just asking.

[Bosco81]

I’d like to think I’m a good judge of a player, but what is really difficult is spotting/knowing who is going to make it at 18/19.

Grealish was perhaps an easy one, and Jacob Ramsey had that physicality which swayed it.

But I’ve no idea which of the current crop are going to be first teamers or even Premier League squad players.

Madjo does look a cut above but then he did cost a bit and looks like a 25 year old already,.

I’d love it if the likes of Hemmings or Borland make it but I really have no idea if they will, I guess it’s down to what opportunities they get at Villa or how much any loan club is prepared to play them.

[Smithy]

Some players just take longer to realise their potential. Imagine being the City management that let Rogers go for £1m a couple of weeks shy of his 21st birthday. Only to see him become the most expensive English player of all time while still only 23.

Sometimes it takes a manager to really bring a player on, with the right position, the right system, and the right coaching.  Sometimes really promising players don’t get that.

I hope we see a few of the youth team in the first team over the next couple of seasons, but we’re now at a level where getting a place in our side means you’re likely competing with established internationals - that’s a tough ask.  So it might be we see these promising kids move on but with sell-ons or buy backs in our favour for the best of them?

[paul_e]

Some players just take longer to realise their potential. Imagine being the City management that let Rogers go for £1m a couple of weeks shy of his 21st birthday. Only to see him become the most expensive English player of all time while still only 23.

Sometimes it takes a manager to really bring a player on, with the right position, the right system, and the right coaching.  Sometimes really promising players don’t get that.

I hope we see a few of the youth team in the first team over the next couple of seasons, but we’re now at a level where getting a place in our side means you’re likely competing with established internationals - that’s a tough ask.  So it might be we see these promising kids move on but with sell-ons or buy backs in our favour for the best of them?

All true but, if we stay in Europe, we do need a few around if possible, even if they aren't regulars. Think of Liverpool with e likes of Bradley and Jones. Those players can add experience to the UEFA squad that is impossible to replace thanks to the 4 protected club-trained positions in the squad