A Day for the Villans - Aston Villa's 4-0 Win over Walsall Reviewed

Jamil and George report from Bescott Stadium

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Image Credit: Saddlers.co.uk

Villa started their first preseason friendly with a mix of first team and youth players, including debutant Diego Carlos, wearing Villa’s number 3 for this match.

Walsall fielded a full strength side, except for two trialists - both of who showed sparks of potential. Trialist A was striker Timmy Abraham (brother of former Aston Villa loanee, Tammy Abraham - who was in the stands watching the match).

Trialist B was a powerhouse centre half who dominated play in between Villa’s first and second goal, and at times looked like the only player stopping Villa’s front threat.

The Villa scored an early goal as Leon Bailey’s left-footed volley found the top left hand corner, past goalkeeper Owen Evans.

Traore was a little bit sloppy on the ball at the start of the match, however, did improve as the match progressed.

Kesler-Hayden, looking to impress Steven Gerrard, ruled the right hand side of the pitch, covering every blade of grass.

Villa dominated play with Bailey, Archer and Traore linking up nicely, coming close to scoring several times. At times, El Ghazi slowed down the Villa attack costing potential goal scoring opportunities.

A Walsall defensive jumble led to Cameron Archer to slot away his chance to double the score.

Villa switched teams after half time, bringing on first team names such as Watkins, Luiz, Sanson and Buendia.

Walsall switched goalkeeper, bringing on Adam Przybek. Trialist B was substituted, to much surprise as he put in a strong performance.

Watkins, in his natural fashion, slotted away Villa’s third goal and Villa continued to dominate play, bullying the Walsall team.

Przybek made a horrible mistake from a routine Douglas Luiz corner. When the ball came towards him his positioning was off. He fumbled his catch and, off-balance, fell into the net taking the ball with him for Villa’s fourth goal.

Walsall had several chances towards the end of the game (two from Ronan Maher), but Villa’s young goalkeeper (Sinisalo) dealt with the pressure well and managed to keep the ball out of the net.

A great day for the Villans at the Poundland Bescot Stadium. The same could not be said for the Saddlers, but they take their experience ahead and have the opportunity to learn from this defeat in their next match against Coventry.

Walsall (4-2-3-1): Evans (Przybek, 46); Bennett (Maher, 71), Daniels (Clarke, 63), Richards-Everton (Monthe, 46), Allen (Green, 78); Comley (White, 46), Kinsella (Livermore, 63); Riley, Hutchinson, James-Taylor (Williams, 46); Abraham (Mukuna, 78)

Not used: Perry, Gibson

Villa

First half (4-2-3-1): Sinisalo; Kesler-Hayden, Diego Carlos, Mings, Revan; Azaz, Nakamba; Traore, El Ghazi, Bailey; Archer

Second half (4-3-1-2): Sinisalo; Young, Chambers, Feeney, Chrisene; Luiz, O’Reilly, Sanson; Buendia; Watkins, Ings

Goals: Bailey (7), Archer (38), Watkins (54), Luiz (70)

Attendance: 9,409 (4,027 Villa fans)

Referee: Tom Nield

Written by George Soden & Jamil Hooper

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