First-half goals from Emiliano Buendia, Jacob Ramsey and Ollie Watkins put us in full control of the game in a positive opening 45 minutes, while Unai Emery opted to make a flurry of changes at the break once again to share out minutes and help to get everyone match fit.
_**READ MORE: [Medical scheduled as incoming Villa signing travels to complete move](https://talk-villa.com/aston-villa-transfer-news-evann-guessand-travels-medical-booked/)**_
While Villa were comfortable in the second half, it was Donyell Malen who added our fourth, and there will certainly be plenty of positives to take from this outing as we continue our preparations for the start of the Premier League season.
Villa face Marseille and Villarreal this weekend to wrap up our pre-season schedule, and it’s hoped that we continue to show the same level of intensity, urgency and quality to keep building confidence.
### Emery will be delighted with ability to adapt, exploit opponent’s approach
Villa have progressively looked sharper and added quality to our play over the course of our pre-season schedule, exactly how many would have expected it to evolve.
Particularly in this game though, with Roma adopting a man-to-man approach and applying pressure higher up the pitch, the Villa players adapted accordingly and played some excellent football in the first half.
Having been able to break the press and create multiple openings, it was no surprise that we were 3-0 up at the interval, and that would have pleased Emery as we’ll see that approach from the opposition a lot this year.
### Has Buendia played his way back into our plans?
While he’s featured heavily this summer, it was important for Buendia to add a decisive touch to his play in the final third and prove that he can be a difference maker.
His sweetly struck free-kick to break the deadlock was a wonderful moment, and he showed his quality again with a great assist for Watkins to add our third. However, his energy, intensity, desire and technical ability in possession all caught the eye on Wednesday night in Walsall.
Time will tell if it’s enough to convince Emery to keep him in the squad this season, but with Marco Asensio gone, there is a void to fill in terms of having a playmaker, and the Argentine ace might have just done enough to earn the opportunity to take up that role.
### Sharp Watkins looking ready for the new season
The difference between Watkins at this stage last summer compared to now is stark, as he returned late from international duty last year and carried a knock through the back-end of our preparations.
In contrast, he has steadily built up his minutes this summer, got on the scoresheet consistently with some great headers, and has caused plenty of problems for opposing defenders even in these less pressurised encounters.
The Villa talisman is ready to hit the ground running when the Premier League gets underway next weekend, and that is such a vital positive for Emery as he’ll look to get amongst the goals early and showcase his class again.
### Malen continues to build momentum
Albeit he could face increased competition again with [Evann Guessand closing in on a move to join us](https://talk-villa.com/aston-villa-transfer-news-evann-guessand-travels-medical-booked/), Malen has shown his quality this summer with some great goals, and it sets him up well for the season ahead.
Villa will need decisive players capable of winning games with their ability in the final third, and so whether it’s as a starter or coming off the bench, Malen has that in him to be a match winner.
His goals this summer have been thoroughly impressive, and with his versatility to play in various roles in the final third, he’s going to be a critical weapon for Emery to have at his disposal.
### Rogers knock only sour note of night
There was unfortunately one negative on the night, as Morgan Rogers was on the pitch for a matter of minutes before picking up what appeared to be an ankle issue.
It’s hoped that it was ultimately a precautionary measure to replace him rather than an acceptance that it could be a knock that sidelines him, and so hopefully we’ll see him get valuable minutes this weekend.
Nevertheless, it’s a timely reminder of the importance of being able to come through pre-season unscathed, as any disruption to his preparations at this late stage will be a major frustration for the Villa man as he won’t want to miss any playing time at all and risk not being 100 percent for the start of competitive action.
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