Through our opening two pre-season games, Aston Villa trio Joe Gauci, Kosta Nedeljkovic and Enzo Barrenechea have continued to show promising signs ahead of the new campaign.
While Gauci had the benefit of joining us in January and subsequently had the second half of last season to settle and acclimatise, both Nedeljkovic and Barrenechea joined up with the rest of the squad at the start of the month.
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What’s been so impressive in our first two games this summer though, is how quickly the trio have picked up on what Unai Emery is demanding from them, both from a physical perspective but more so in relation to understanding and implementing the tactical and positional nuances of his system and style of play.
It’s hoped that all three are able to either cement their place in the Villa XI this season or at the very least provide stiff competition for places and reliable depth, and the early signs are promising in terms of their ability to fit in and play the way that the Villa boss is no doubt asking them to.
With Gauci, the 24-year-old Australian international showed good patience and accuracy with his distribution against Spartak Trnava this weekend, inviting our opponents to press and shift up the pitch in order to play the ball out from the back and give us an opportunity to exploit the spaces left in behind.
Since Emery arrived, we’ve seen that countless times from Emiliano Martinez, and so there is a clear directive for our goalkeepers to play a certain way in possession, and Gauci looks very comfortable with it thus far. Add to that his commanding presence in the box, he’s making a strong case to be No.2 behind Martinez, but there will be tougher tests ahead where he must still prove himself.
As for Nedeljkovic, he’s arguably been one of the most impressive Villa players so far this summer, as he’s stood out in both games.
The 18-year-old loves to use his first touch to get the ball out of his feet and set himself, and he’s immediately pushing forward with his next action, be it a pass to a teammate or moving up the pitch with the ball himself.
He’s shown energy and intent with his play to give us width and an attacking threat down the right side, and so again, with Emery wanting his full-backs to push up and stretch the pitch but also be technically good enough to build our moves from the back, we look like we’ve scouted a potentially top player in the Serbian youngster.
The same goes for Barrenechea. What’s been particularly enjoyable about his two outings thus far is his positional awareness and intelligence on the pitch, as that arguably is a more natural instinct and ability rather than something that can be taught.
It gives him time and space to receive the ball and then keep our passing ticking over, and importantly he’s shown a desire in wanting the ball by making himself available to then either play a simple pass or show his range with a switch of play.
He’ll find it difficult to establish himself in the Villa starting line-up given the competition around him in midfield, but he offers important characteristics that suit Emery’s ideas in wanting control in games, and so if he can be consistently effective with that, he’ll have an important role to play.
Time will tell how much Emery trusts this trio when the competitive football gets underway next month, but the early signs are undoubtedly positive that they can come into the side when required and carry out the role asked of them by the Villa boss, and that is how we become a competitive and successful squad.
Barrenchea can play both roles in a two man midfield pivot, so he will prove especially useful to the team over the season.
I’ve been equally impressed by Gauci in goal. I like the way he commands his box and knows when to punch and when to catch the ball. His weakest feature at present I feel is his distribution but, that is something he can get better at.
Nedeljkovic at right back looks a great prospect, he looks to have built partnerships already with Cash, Bailey and Young, shows great promise.
I’ve also been impressed with Ross Barkley’s performances so far, he looks a really better player playing that deeper role.
I like what Bogarde has done as well, nothing flashy just good solid work, the same can be said of Swinkels.
Great shout, like the look of the Nedeljkovic-Bailey partnership in particular so far.
Got a piece coming on Ross Barkley shortly, really impressed with him in first two games and agreed, Bogarde has been very tidy next to him.