Tom Heaton was great, Conor Hourihane scored twice, and Aston Villa beat one of world’s best teams away from home in the club’s final pre-season friendly.
Dean Smith called upon an expected starting XI in Villa’s final pre-season tune-up match away in Germany. New signing Tom Heaton featured after joining the team just days ago with a backline of Fred Guilbert, Björn Engels, Tyrone Mings and Matt Targett.
Conor Hourihane got the start as the deep-lying midfielder behind John McGinn and Jack Grealish. Up top, it went Anwar El Ghazi, Wesley Moraes and Jota left to right.
Some notes: Jed Steer and Ezri Konsa were not among the lengthy substitutes bench. Neither was Douglas Luiz who has not yet received work permit clearance. Ørjan Nyland, however, was active for the first time, which is a good sign following a devastating achilles tendon tear.
Last test, and it’s a big one vs. RB Leipzig. Should be close to the XI that features against Spurs next weekend. #utv https://t.co/0ta5PtECbD
— Claret Villans (@ClaretVillans) August 3, 2019
Leipzig called upon a strong team, almost a full-strength one.
Leipzig XI ⬇️:
— Claret Villans (@ClaretVillans) August 3, 2019
Villa get to face Werner, Upamecano, Konaté & co. https://t.co/CQwg3ljP2a
Villa goals came courtesy of Conor Hourihane (x2) and John McGinn. The first arrived from a free-kick when Wesley was brought down just outside the box. The Irishman stepped-up and delivered a curler that evaded both wall and goalkeeper. Leipzig answered minutes later after Yussuf Poulsen connected from a close range volley. After the break, Villa scored once again from Hourihane (a wildly deflected FK from the right-wing). John McGinn added the third around the 85th-minute when substitute Trézéguet threaded a through ball to McGinn down the right. The Scotsman subsequently finished beyond the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Philipp Tschauner.
In between, Mings nailed the crossbar from a Hourihane set piece and nearly scored on another.
Final: 3-1, Villa.
Notes and Observations:
Anwar El Ghazi went off injured. Obviously, any amount of time lost is tough because A: El Ghazi is good and B: André Green departed the club on loan. Trézéguet, Jota, and the striker-sometimes-wide forward Jonathan Kodjia will have to do unless someone else is brought in.
Tom Heaton is really, really good. So too is Tyrone Mings.
Matt Targett had an indifferent day. He offers a lot as a two-way fullback, but leaves far too much space in behind.
Conor Hourihane cemented himself as the starting No. 6 until proven otherwise. His value from set pieces can’t be ignored. While he’s not a strong ball-winner, it’s not like he’s a liability, either.