Pre season friendlies

I just found it in time to catch the last few minutes and the highlights. Two tidy finishes from Hogan, that is something I would like to see more of come the new season. We can't just look to Kodjia for goals.

Kodjia isn't a team player, Hogan is. We played some good link up football between the midfield and Hogan in the last twenty minutes. That doesn't tend to happen once Kodjia get's the ball. Hopefully Terry will explain the game plan to him.

Looking more like our usual selves against Hertha now that the likes of Gabby and Richards are involved.

... but a towering header from Chris Samba puts us 1-0 up.

2-0, good effort from Gabby.

I'm amazed the ref let Gabby get away with that shoulder charge. It reminded me of poor old Harry Tomlinson!

A few of our players have been uncompromising in this one. I have a very strong feeling I'm going to love Big Chris Samba this season.

Well, we are now Cup of Traditions champions. Is it up there with winning the Peace Cup in 2009?

Samba is a beast .... Can we petition the FL to allow 45 minute matches rather than 90 minutes .... we seem to have found our niche .... Championes!

Great confidence Boost for the Squad today. The squad has a much better mix of experience and youth now. There were experienced season pro's for the other players to look up to, in both games today. Good to see our youth players being blooded and they will undoubtedly,  benefit from the Dads Army signings that we've made this summer. I fully expect the likes of Lansbury and Hourihane to benefit from the more experienced guys this season too. when they came in last year they just couldn't handle the weight of expectation of playing for Villa. Give Hogan supply and he will score, Suprise Suprise!!! It doesn't Suprise me that Elmohamady had a positive impact today as he's always been a player who plays in a direct positive way, but he also has a bit of poise in the final third. The last couple of seasons he has lost his way a bit, however much of this could be attributed to him being played out of position at right back rather than as a wing back. So hopefully we will get the Elmohamady of former seasons, who was one of Sunderland and Hulls better players. SAMBA, he will be real fans favorite. I think the fans are willing him to succeed off the back of the longest Trial in the History of trials. Hats off the guy, at his age he didn't need to do that, just shows the guys got a real passion for playing football. Set pieces are going to be very exciting this season. Samba, Terry, Jedinak, Chester Baker & Kodja to attack Hourihane corners, Yes, please!!

Time will tell whether we will be able to Score enough goals to be consistent as we need to be. I firmly believe that we won't suffer the chronic confidence issues and lack of belief that our squads have suffered for the last couple of seasons. UTV

It's whetted the appetite for the season ahead.

Thanks for a really upbeat and well reasoned post Jim.

The match against Watford at Villa Park is being streamed today. The ability to watch the pre season matches on YouTube has been a real plus. Well done AVFC.

I woke up this morning excited about the game, and then I realised that Nathan Baker had been sold. I was genuinely sad!
I hope we don't get a couple of injuries and rue the day we sold him.

PS: I've just given Jim_Villan's little chihuahua a "Baker's" chew stick and he's carrying it around as pleased as punch, he won't let anyone get it off him! Should we put him in charge of buying and selling?

Johnstone must be injured as Steer starts for the third consecutive match.

Hutton starts ahead of Bree, and Gabby starts ahead of Hogan. I hope that's not an indication of Bruce's thoughts on next weeks first team against Hull.

Amavi on the bench. We're obviously still determined to get rid of him.

No Hourihane either, Grealish injury was a prime opportunity to throw him on but instead on comes Bacuna...

I'd have gone for Hogan up front too.