Aston Villa’s preseason wrapped up on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach, featuring a heavily rotated side from the team that fell to PSG by the same scoreline on Wednesday night.
With eight games played in all, Villa’s preseason offered a chance for some new names to take the spotlight, and there was plenty to draw from the various warm up matches.
Here are some big picture takeaways from Villa’s preseason exploits:
Biggest winner: George Hemmings
This was always going to be a toss up between Hemmings and Brian Madjo, the two teenagers who were unquestionably the stars of Villa’s preseason. Due to Madjo picking up an injury (more on that later), Hemmings just edges it.
The 19-year-old first flashed as one to watch at this time a year ago, turning in a strong performance as a central midfielder against Walsall. When given the chance to start in that role against RB Salzburg in January though, he did not seem ready, and was substituted at half-time.
Now playing in a more advanced position, Hemmings has taken huge strides and appears capable of sticking with the first team this season, rather than going out on loan. His ability to drive forward with the ball has shades of Jacob Ramsey, and his finishing has also been impressive.
With Alejandro Garnacho undergoing a slower acclimation period, there is a good chance Hemmings starts against Brighton in the Premier League opener next weekend.
Biggest loser: Lamare Bogarde
It feels harsh choosing a loser of the preseason, as it is supposed to be a time of hope. Someone has to take the unfortunate honour though, and Bogarde did not grasp his opportunity this summer.
A valuable utility man for Unai Emery in the last couple of seasons, Bogarde got the chance to play his most natural position in central midfield during preseason.
He still has not truly kicked on in that role to the level where Villa should feel completely comfortable if he has to play extensively, which he might have to in the next few weeks. At times in his career he has looked like taking that step forward, but then always seems to take a step back.
Bogarde is at risk of turning into a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’. The ability to throw him in at right-back, centre-back or in central midfield is useful, but will he ever become a starter at Villa?
Biggest surprise: Luka Lynch
Lynch was not a player many Villa fans would have been familiar with a couple of months ago. The 19-year-old got his chance and took it, playing a lot of minutes with the first-team on the right wing and not looking out of place in that environment.
He scored in Villa’s first two preseason games against Walsall and Porto, taking the second one extremely well, and has generally looked sharp throughout the summer.
Getting a legitimate shot with the first team may be a bridge too far at this stage, and a loan move is more likely the next step in his development. Still, Lynch will have caught the eye of Emery and his progress will no doubt be tracked in the coming months.
Biggest disappointment: Injuries
For all the benefits that can come from preseason, the main objective is to get out of it healthy. That was very much not the end result for Villa.
The biggest blows came in the wake of the loss to PSG, with Madjo and João Gomes, two players who stood out in preseason and in the case of Gomes, a vital part of Villa’s hopes for the upcoming season,set for at least a couple of weeks on the sidelines.
Tammy Abraham picked up an injury in the final game, the severity of which is still TBD, new signing Johan Manzambi has still not trained due to a knee issue, and Alejandro Garnacho's preseason has been interrupted by a facial injury which landed him in concussion protocol.
Villa still have a lot of work to do to fill out the squad for the season ahead. That work will undoubtedly linger into the season, and has not been helped by some unfortunate injury issues.
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