John Townley's Aston Villa player ratings after the victory over Villarreal in pre-season
Aston Villa rounded off their pre-season with a win over Villarreal in Spain
Aston Villa rounded off their pre-season with a win over Villarreal in Spain
Aston Villa ended their pre-season programme with a 2-0 win over Villarreal at the Estadi de la Ceràmica.
Ollie Watkins scored his fifth goal in as many pre-season friendlies to open the scoring in the 23rd minute - against the run of play, before Emi Buendia doubled the lead early in the second half.
After Emi Martínez made a smart stop to deny Santi Comesaña, Gerard Moreno missed a sitter having latched onto Yeremy Pino’s cross from the left.
Villa’s keeper was called into action again in the 21st minute, smothering the ball to deny Pau Cabanes from close range.
But it was Villa who took an unlikely lead when Watkins emphatically finished from inside the box after Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Júnior parried Buendía’s strike.
Martínez made two more important saves to deny Moreno, including a fine reflex stop to prevent the Villarreal captain from scoring from just a few yards out.
Unai Emery decided not to make any changes at the break, but the likes of Nicolas Pepe, Dani Parejo, Alberto Moleiro and Juan Foyth were all introduced for Villarreal.
Villa started the second half in perfect fashion as Buendia extended the lead with a fine effort from outside the box as he collected the ball off Boubacar Kamara, who won the ball back in the final third.
Villa's new Premier League campaign begins at home against Newcastle United on Saturday at 12:30pm.
Players of Aston Villa pose for a team photograph
Players of Aston Villa pose for a team photograph
Player ratings
Emi Martínez Martínez made two important saves inside the first 20 minutes, first to deny Comesaña from distance and then to stop Cabanes at close range. Just after Watkins scored the opener, Argentina's number one produced an excellent save to deny Moreno, before keeping the Spaniard out once again in the 30th minute. He was heard barking orders to his teammates and organising the defence throughout. 8
Triston Rowe Rowe should have been utilised more often down the right, as he often found space to influence proceedings. The young right-back tracked Cabanes well in the 42nd minute after the Villarreal forward was played through, doing enough to put him off before winning the ball when he tried to cut inside. 7
Ezri Konsa Konsa was steady in possession and formed part of a defence that improved as the game went on. He also helped guide young full-back Rowe through the match. 7
Pau Torres Torres returned to his former club to play at the Estadi de la Ceràmica for the first time since joining Villa two summers ago. He made an important tackle on Tajon Buchanan inside the box before Watkins' opener. 7
Ian Maatsen Maatsen showed good recovery pace to get back into position during transitional moments. He had the tricky task of dealing with Buchanan, which became even more challenging when Nicolas Pépé moved to the right flank in the second half. 7
Boubacar Kamara of Aston Villa is challenged by Pape Gueye of Villarreal
Boubacar Kamara of Aston Villa is challenged by Pape Gueye of Villarreal
Boubacar Kamara Kamara often dropped into a back three to allow the full-backs to push high and wide. He won the ball back in the final third just after half-time, creating the chance for Buendía to double the lead - which he took. 8
Youri Tielemans Tielemans never looked flustered under pressure and kept the game moving smoothly. He called Villarreal goalkeeper Jörgensen into action in the 43rd minute with a driven effort on goal. 7
Leon Bailey Bailey offered width and created space for teammates to exploit in the final third. He was occasionally loose in possession, but looked confident when receiving the ball and took plenty of shots at goal. 7
Emiliano Buendia of Aston Villa
Emiliano Buendia of Aston Villa
Emi Buendía Buendía has played with a point to prove this pre-season. He took his goal well, picking up possession just outside the box after Kamara's interception. Despite taking a knock early on, he was fine to continue and was as energetic and industrious as ever. 8*
Jamal Jimoh-Aloba The 18-year-old showed neat footwork to wriggle out of pressure on several occasions. Jimoh-Aloba has grown in confidence this summer and looks an exciting prospect. 7
Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa celebrates scoring
Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa celebrates scoring
Ollie Watkins
That’s now five goals in pre-season for Villa’s frontman, who has been in electric form ahead of the new campaign. His opener tonight was expertly taken - a touch to control before drilling it past the goalkeeper. 8
SUBS
Evann Guessand (for Jimoh-Aloba, 68'): The new recruit played off the left side in the final 20 minutes or so of the game. He skinned his marker just after coming on and flashed the ball across the box, but Buendia couldn't quite reach it. Looked really sharp, playing from the left and then the right. 7
John McGinn (for Kamara, 72'): McGinn adapted to the game really well. He's had plenty of minutes this weekend and will be raring to go on Saturday. 7
Lewis Dobbin (for Watkins, 82'): N/A
Alex Moreno (for Maatsen, 82'): N/A
George Hemmings (for Bailey, 82'): N/A
Lamare Bogarde (for Rowe, 82'): N/A
Marco Bizot (for Martinez, 82'): N/A
Travis Patterson (for Buendia, 86'): N/A
Subs not used, Proctor, Cash, Mings, Digne, Malen, Iling-Jr, Onana, Ramsey, Petterson, Mosquera, Burrowes.
GOALS
Villarreal: N/A
Aston Villa: Watkins (23'), Buendia (49')
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It promises to be an exciting season ahead for Aston Villa as Unai Emery's side look to build on last season's efforts and will look to finish even higher this time around.
Despite not achieving the same feat of the 2023/2024 season by securing a UEFA Champion's League spot — the 2024/25 campaign proved to be a decent one for the Villains. Villa managed to get into continental football by qualifying for the Europa League and will play their third consecutive season of European competition.
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