Entering a preseason friendly has to come with certain expectations. Yes, Aston Villa have lost the first two of the summer. And part of the backlash will have to do with the lack of Villa action for a number of weeks now. Taking too much of anything at all from a friendly, however, is always a dangerous proposition.
For one, the way in which Unai Emery lines up and makes changes in July is hardly going to be what the Spaniard does once the Premier League games actually start.
Even if it were the case, only he and those in the dressing room know what is being worked on or what the emphasis is for these fixtures. They could be working on a particular progression that they'll want to use again later. There could also be a combination or rotation being practiced that they know isn't their strong suit but is something that they'll want to potentially use as an option later.
Taking the time now to work on these sorts of things, even if it isn't with the full regular starters, is something that will end up proving more valuable than a win, loss, or draw in July.
It is already known that at full strength, barring a complete shock, Villa would be able to beat Hansa Rostock. Even for fitness levels, which can also be worked out outside of the matches themselves, there is little benefit to dismantling a side 6-0.
Realistic preseason expectations for Aston Villa
Only Emery will be able to truly gauge if the players are doing what is expected of them at the moment and how they are faring on an individual level. Attempting to evaluate too much from afar is doing so without a lot of the needed information to form a complete opinion.
It's nice to see the side back at it again with some of the known starting XI members. Now isn't the time to be anywhere close to the panic button, however.