Aston Villa secured their second win of the summer with a 3-1 triumph over the Indonesia All Stars at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium. Emi Buendia set the tone early, scoring in the third minute, before Ross Barkley added a second with a composed finish on his weaker left foot prior to half-time.
After making ten changes at the interval, retaining only goalkeeper James Wright, Aston Villa continued their dominance with Brian Madjo netting the third goal just over ten minutes into the second half. The Indonesia All Stars managed a late consolation, denying Wright a clean sheet.
Following the match, head coach Unai Emery spoke to Villa TV about his optimism ahead of the upcoming campaign, despite significant squad changes this summer.
READ MORE: Walsall Council Withdraws Approval for Homes on Green Belt Ahead of Appeal
“I am really optimistic about how we are building the team and how we are responding every day despite so many changes,” Emery said. “I want to tell all our supporters that we are coming back again with a new spirit and a new chapter that we will write this year. Really, I am excited!”
Saturday’s fixture also saw several players feature for the first time in pre-season, including Alejandro Garnacho, Evann Guessand, John McGinn, and Victor Lindelöf. Garnacho, who joined from Chelsea last month, along with other key figures such as Johan Manzambi, Emi Martínez, Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konsa, are yet to report back for pre-season training. Tammy Abraham and Boubacar Kamara have been involved in training sessions but are not yet ready to return to full match fitness.
The optimism expressed by Emery will be welcomed given the upheaval experienced not only within the playing squad but also among the coaching staff, with the departures of Austin MacPhee, Pako Ayestarán and Antonio Rodríguez Saravia. However, change is familiar territory for Emery, who is now guiding a revamped Villa side built around the same club culture that delivered their first trophy in 30 years last season.
One player keen to impress during pre-season is Evann Guessand, who started up front against the Indonesia All Stars. Previously deployed on the right by Emery during the first half of last season, Guessand started in a more preferred role upfront following a loan spell at Crystal Palace.
He generated Villa’s first chance after John McGinn’s run into the box found him, though his effort was saved by the Indonesia All Stars' goalkeeper. Later, a promising delivery from Kosta Nedeljkovic gave Guessand another opportunity, but he struggled to control the ball, missing a chance that a more natural striker might have taken first time.
Nonetheless, Guessand’s work rate was commendable. He pressed diligently, made several tackles, and chased down loose balls, even winning a corner that almost resulted in a Pau Torres headed goal from a McGinn cross.
With Andrés García loaned to Getafe earlier this summer, Villa have been in the market for a new right-back, with Emerson Royal, currently at Flamengo, a leading target. Royal struggled for game time at Flamengo in his first season, prompting Villa’s interest in July.
However, Villa also need reinforcements in left-back, midfield, and on the wing, meaning that allocating additional funds for a back-up right-back may be challenging. This is especially true when young talents like Nedeljkovic-who impressed during this match-alongside Lamare Bogarde, Ezri Konsa, and Victor Lindelöf can provide cover.
Given the club’s budget constraints until January, retaining Nedeljkovic as a versatile squad member could be a prudent approach, particularly as injuries and suspensions inevitably affect squad depth.
Looking ahead, although the opposition at Gelora Bung Karno was modest, Nedeljkovic’s performance was noteworthy. It will be intriguing to observe how he fares if given playing opportunities against elite teams such as Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain in the coming ten days.