My first European night at VP since 2010 I believe. A game devoid of action in the first 45 buy n large. A resolute, well organised, defensive performance from AZ for 55 minutes frustrated Villa (much like Forest the preceding week) and they were good value for their goal having tested martinez a few times before breaking the deadlock. It did have the feeling that villa would need a set piece to score after having created hardly anything all game (barring the disallowed goal after 3 minutes which should’ve been scored by watkins nonetheless). A good delivery that just required a glance from Diego Carlos surprised the villa faithful more than anything and the boys in claret found themselves on top for the remainder of the game. A fantastic, patient, passing move which had been seen in fragments up to this point but never amounted to anything created a sublime team goal finished off by a watkins header from 8 yards out after a fantastic through ball from Douglas Luiz. Villa well worth the victory and that should at least see us through to the knockout stage of the UECL.
A colussus performance from Unai’s Villa against the media darlings Brighton and de Zerbi. Another tactical masterclass along with exceptional performances from Konsa, Dougie Luiz, Mcginn, Diaby and, of course, Ollie Watkins the hattrick hero. Drawing Brighton forward time and time again then picking them off on the break proved to be a master stroke of tactical nous from Emery. The speed of Dunk and Webster was called into question multiple times by Watkins and Diaby; Steele had a game to forget. Great to see Jacob Ramsey back on the pitch, relieving an ineffective Nico Zaniolo after an hour, and having a major impact on the game with the goal to make it 5. You can tell him and Alex Moreno have been missed on that attacking left hand side of the back end of last season leading us to European football. Watched from the back row of the Holte in a ‘Terraced View’ seat. Disagree with having hospitality in the Holte in general however this would be ideal in either the Doug or the Trinity.
Burnley 1-3 Aston Villa August ‘23 9/10 game. Unai Emery’s villa in full flow. Cash, Konsa, Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby all starring. Poor defensively for the Burnley goal, Pau Torres still getting used to the physicality of the English league. 9/10 stadium and atmosphere. Though the Burnley fans tame for all but 10 minutes post half time, the Villa faithful loud in voice as ever and jeered the team on to a convincing victory. The Diaby ‘Voulez Vous’ song, chanted throughout the game and beyond, is a catchy one.
Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 Heidenheim September ‘23 8/10 game. Alonso’s Leverkusen fantastic to watch. 8/10 stadium and atmosphere. Bowl shape ground 😫