Yesterday evening Aston Villa made the short trip to the Bescot to face Walsall in our latest pre-season friendly.
FT: @WFCOfficial 1-4 #AVFC
A hat-trick from Conor Hourihane and a strike from Glenn Whelan sees us finish comfortable victors at Banks's Stadium. Another good run-out. Next up, it's @burtonalbionfc this Saturday. 👊#AVFC #PartOfThePride pic.twitter.com/FlYM0VDKDn
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 17, 2018
Whilst things are continually reported as falling apart off the pitch – and sadly there is a truth to that – on the pitch, we are starting to show a different story and the players are giving fans reason for hope ahead of the coming 2018/19 campaign.
Okay, no disrespect to our hosts but it was only Walsall and it’s anyone’s guess on how many of the starting eleven from last night will still be with us when the transfer window shuts as we sacrifice players to save Dr Tony Xia’s blushes. They say you can only beat what’s in front of you and we did that comfortably with a 4-1 victory on the day with Conor Hourihane hitting a hattrick and Glenn Whelan joining him on the scoresheet.
Reactions post-game were positive as some signs of belief come back into the fanbase – we can only hope it continues!
Glenn Whelan Golden Boot winner 18/19.
— Kyle (@KyleBillingham_) July 17, 2018
Duh duh duh duh Conor Hourihane
— David Sutherland (@_Suth_) July 17, 2018
Great performance. If Grealish goes for big bucks, let’s hope we can keep hold of our other better players. If we can, we should still have a decent Champ side.
— Steve Shaw (@SShaw457) July 17, 2018
That was a great run out, and a great performance – I expected it to be slow and lethargic. However, it was extremely enjoyable and promising! Although I think more youth players should have played, and all substitutions should take place at halftime!#avfc #UTV #PartOfThePride
— Jon Hayes (@jonboy_avfc) July 17, 2018
More like Glenn Grealish ????
— JCMFIFA (@JCMFIFA) July 17, 2018
It probably didn’t help that by the end of it the back three consisted of two full backs
— Andrew George Maddox (@Ma1Andrew) July 17, 2018
Great result ????????????
— GIGBUDDY23 (@GIGBUDDY23) July 17, 2018
????
— Phil Roberts (@iamVilla) July 17, 2018
Villa playing really well, love the new formation. Been saying all last season villa play so much better without a LM and RM
— Will (@rachandwill) July 17, 2018
Would be great to see this formation go into the new season, looking very natural at the moment. LFE.
— Liam Frederick Ennis (@liamfennis) July 17, 2018
Very nice first half. That second goal from Hourihane was gorgeous.
— Dennis Johnson (@VillanInAmerica) July 17, 2018
I am watching the game on #YouTube and it really is a stroll in the park – some good combination play, energy, purpose, and direction; we are going up this season!#avfc #UTV #PartOfThePride #earlyseasonhope
— Jon Hayes (@jonboy_avfc) July 17, 2018
threw me a bit too! ????
— Rachel Malloch (@RachelVillavox) July 17, 2018
has anyone ever seen Whelan and Iniesta in the same room
— Pat (@pat_rowee) July 17, 2018
Agreed, this team and squad looks strong enough to challenge. So what’s the plan when we sell all the best ones? @AVFCOfficial @Dr_TonyXia
— Matt Shelley (@mattshelley__) July 18, 2018
Was confused earlier didn’t know if i was seeing Glenn Whelan or Andres Iniesta
— Ryan Craddock (@RyanCraddock9) July 17, 2018
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