Aston Villa Cruise Past Bologna in Pre-Season Friendly
Aston Villa kicked off their pre-season campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bologna at Villa Park on Saturday. The Villans were in complete control from the get-go, dominating possession and creating numerous chances. It was a real statement of intent from Unai Emery's side, showing they're ready to make a real splash in the Premier League this season.
A Smooth Start
The game started brightly for Villa, with the home side pressing high and forcing Bologna into some early errors. It didn't take long for the pressure to pay off. John McGinn, the Scottish midfield maestro, opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a trademark powerful strike from outside the box. The goal was a real beauty, leaving the Bologna goalkeeper with no chance.
Dominant Performance
Villa continued to dominate after the goal, with Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins causing havoc down the flanks. The Jamaican winger, Bailey, almost doubled the lead in the 25th minute, but his shot went just wide of the post. Villa were playing with real swagger, and it was clear they were having a lot of fun out there.
Second Half Changes
The second half saw a flurry of substitutions from both sides, as managers Emery and Thiago Motta made changes to give their players some valuable minutes. Villa continued to look the more dangerous side, though, and they eventually got their second goal in the 70th minute. A clever cross from Matty Cash found Moussa Diaby at the back post, who headed the ball into the net.
A Promising Start
Overall, it was a very impressive performance from Aston Villa. They looked sharp, confident, and full of attacking intent. The new signings, Diaby and Pau Torres, slotted in seamlessly.
Key takeaways:
- Diaby looks like a real coup: The French winger was impressive on his debut, showing quick feet, great vision, and a real goal threat.
- McGinn remains a key player: The Scottish midfielder was back to his best, controlling the tempo of the game and scoring a screamer.
- Emery has a strong squad: Villa looked comfortable even with a large number of changes. The squad depth looks strong, and the future looks bright for the Villa faithful.
This victory is a great start to the pre-season for Aston Villa. It's a good sign of things to come, and they'll be looking to build on this momentum as they head towards the start of the Premier League season.