Several Aston Villa players have caught the eye in pre-season this summer
Ollie Watkins has scored five goals in five pre-season games
Ollie Watkins has scored five goals in five pre-season games
(Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
Aston Villa look in a good place ahead of their Premier League curtain-raiser against Newcastle United on Saturday.
It’s been a relatively quiet summer window for Villa, but that’s not been such a bad thing as they’ve kept all of their star players until this point.
They have made a couple of first-team additions, namely Marco Bizot and, more recently, Evann Guessand.
In pre-season, Villa lost their first two games against Walsall and Hansa Rostock, though both matches were populated mostly with youth players.
Over in the States, Villa beat St. Louis City 2-1 between 2-2 draws against Eintracht Frankfurt and Nashville.
After beating AS Roma 4-0 at the Bescot, Villa fell to a 3-1 defeat in Marseille and then beat Villarreal 2-0 on Sunday.
On the whole, Unai Emery’s squad look well-prepared for the new campaign, and it was great to see youngsters get their chance to impress, like Triston Rowe, while Jacob Ramsey also deserves credit for getting among the goals and looking confident too.
Here are several players who caught the eye in pre-season…
Marco Bizot
The early signs from Marco Bizot are very promising. He’s played plenty of minutes in pre-season and made a strong impression.
There’s already a clear difference between Bizot’s ability on the ball and that of Robin Olsen. While some Stade Brest fans once questioned Bizot’s footwork, he’s shown no signs of shakiness and provides an upgrade on the Swede he replaced.
He looks more than capable of playing out from the back, linking with defenders in small passing triangles.
His brilliant ball over the top for Watkins in the game against Frankfurt was perfect and would have earned him an assist if the striker had been just a bit more clinical from a tight angle.
Bizot made plenty of routine saves over the summer and relieved pressure by claiming crosses confidently – exactly what you want in a goalkeeper.
Lamare Bogarde
The 22-year-old didn’t feature in the league after appearing in the 4-1 defeat at Crystal Palace but signed a new contract in April.
Villa have been looking to bring in a right-sided defender to compete with Ezri Konsa. Bogarde certainly fits that profile, and his versatility is a major bonus.
Whether or not Villa sign another defender, Bogarde’s ability to cover centre-back, right-back, and midfield makes a strong case for keeping him in the squad.
He earned himself a place in the first-team last season by impressing in pre-season, and is now much-improved from then.
Emery has the luxury of utilising Bogarde across a number of roles, which will be important in a season where injuries will happen over the course of 50 plus games.
Amadou Onana
Amadou Onana(Image: Chris Carter)
Amadou Onana
After a year of working with Emery, Onana could be in for a big season – and he looks ready to go.
At times, Onana can look unstoppable. He is often too powerful and too quick over short distances to be effectively challenged by opponents.
The Belgian can cover ground effortlessly, receive the ball well, and his passing – both in weight and selection – was strong over pre-season.
We saw what Onana is capable of at the end of last season, particularly in that win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
On his day, he can be unplayable. If he can bring that level consistently, then £50 million may turn out to be something of a bargain in today’s market.
There simply aren’t many midfielders with his profile at the top level – a unique asset Emery will be thrilled to work with this summer ahead of the new season.
George Hemmings of Aston Villa
George Hemmings of Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)
George Hemmings
George Hemmings, who only turned 18 in March, has shown maturity beyond his years during Villa’s summer friendlies.
While Walsall and Rostock both play in the third tier, Hemmings looked physically ready to compete in senior football. That was confirmed after he more than held his own in the start he made at Marseille.
Comfortable in possession, Hemmings constantly demands the ball, whether in tight spaces or when finding pockets to bypass the press.
His work rate will have impressed Emery even more – he tracks runners, covers full-backs, and positions himself intelligently.
Hemmings joined Villa from Nottingham Forest in January 2024 and signed his first professional contract three months later. An England Under-18 international, he featured in every game of Villa’s UEFA Youth League campaign, which ended in the round of 16 against eventual champions Barcelona. Back in May, he signed a new long-term contract.
Speaking ahead of the Rostock game, former Villa midfielder Ian Taylor praised the teenager on Villa TV: “I know George and his dad Anthony. He played non-league and coached my lad at Sutton Coldfield. They’re a football family.
"He’s two-footed, can dribble and pass with either foot, and always wants the ball. He’s an England player with real talent, and there’s a lot more to come from George.”
Taylor added: “The way the game is going, you hope these young players aren’t just developed to be sold. You want them playing for your club. Hopefully, they all have bright futures.”
Jamal Jimoh-Aloba
Jimoh-Aloba was growing in confidence as the pre-season programme went on.
Like Hemmings and Rowe, he played a key role in the club’s Under-18 treble last term and looks a real talent.
Emery spoke about the importance of bringing through youth while talking the media out in the USA.
“I’m very excited about the objective we have this year,” Emery said. “Also how we can work with young players – promote them and develop them so they can become important players for Aston Villa.
“Every day, we work with the team, the young players, the staff – and it’s very motivating.”
Jimoh-Aloba joined Villa's academy from West Brom in August 2023, signing a professional contract just two months later. He then penned a new long-term contract in October 2024.
Emiliano Buendia of Aston Villa
Emiliano Buendia of Aston Villa
Emi Buendia
Many thought his Villa career was over after he joined Bayer Leverkusen on loan with a buy option.
However, the Bundesliga side opted not to make the move permanent for £17 million.
Looking at the depth now at Emery’s disposal, keeping Buendia could prove wise – especially if the club can raise funds and cut the wage bill elsewhere.
Ramsey, Morgan Rogers, John McGinn, Malen, and new signing Guessand are all options to support the attack. But with three positions available in the forward line, at least six solid options will be needed. Villa are likely to play over 50 games again next season, so depth is essential.
Buendia is more than capable of making an impact in the Europa League group stage and easing the load on Villa’s key players.
He can also provide a spark off the bench in Premier League matches – making the case for giving him a second chance a compelling one.
Donyell Malen
Donyell Malen(Image: Connor Cunningham)
Donyell Malen
It’s crucial that Villa share the goals across the team next season, especially considering only three current players registered 10 or more goal involvements last term.
Step forward, Donyell Malen. With three assists and two goals over the summer, he was impressively productive in pre-season.
Even though he was quiet for spells in matches, like against Roma when he led the line, he still delivered when it mattered – taking his only chance with a clinical finish after shifting the ball onto his stronger right foot inside the box.
He made two assists from the right wing against Frankfurt, and then set up another goal against St. Louis before scoring his first in pre-season against Nashville.
The big question ahead of the new season: can Emery really afford to leave him on the bench against Newcastle?
What’s clear is that Villa need two players per position who are genuine starters – and Malen absolutely fits that bill.
Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins (centre) celebrates scoring
Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins (centre) celebrates scoring
Ollie Watkins
A major positive from pre-season is Watkins’ form and confidence. He’s in the mood after scoring five goals in as many friendlies.
Last summer, Watkins struggled with injury after Euro 2024 and essentially missed pre-season under Emery.
He started the campaign slowly, wasn’t 100 per cent fit, and Villa relied on Jhon Duran to bail them out of a few games as he came off the bench to make a stunning impact in several matches.
This time round, Watkins looks sharp as a tack and hungry for a big campaign ahead of the World Cup. Doing his best to not only get on the plane but play a big part in England’s tournament will be one of a few motivations for Watkins next season.
After bagging his 75th Premier League goal in Villa’s 1-0 win at Bournemouth last season, he is also trying to net 25 more as quickly as possible to become a member of the 100 club.
His highest goal return in a top-flight season came in 2023/24, when he found the net 19 times and also won the Playmaker of the Season by recording 13 assists.
Guaranteed goals – and much more – Watkins is a player Villa simply have to keep hold of this summer.