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(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media)

Oliver Walton

Thu 7 August 2025 7:00, UK

Aston Villa continued their preparations for the upcoming Premier League campaign with an emphatic 4-0 win over Serie A side Roma on Wednesday (6 August) evening.

Unai Emery’s side took an early lead through Emi Buendia’s fine free-kick, and further strikes from Jacob Ramsey and Ollie Watkins put the game beyond doubt before the interval.

Villa controlled the second-half well, limiting their opponents to just one shot on goal, and Donyell Malen added another late goal to put the gloss on the victory.

As with every pre-season game, certain players put a shift in while some failed to impress, so here are three winners and three losers for the Villans after their comprehensive win.

Buendia looks set to be a part of Unai Emery’s squad for the coming season after a recent loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen, and it is clear why after his starring role in their win against Roma.

The little Argentinian toyed with the Serie A side’s backline throughout the first-half, and grabbed an assist alongside his brilliantly-taken free-kick that left Mile Svilar with no chance.

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Buendia has been linked with a move away from Villa Park in recent months, but that possibility seems very unlikely after this standout showing.

While his Villa future is up in the air right now as Man United and Newcastle each plot moves for Watkins, he showed no signs of fatigue or his head being in a bad place at the Bescot Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The England international striker took his headed goal well to put Villa 3-0 up and gave a really good account of himself with 11 of 11 passes completed in his 45 minutes on the pitch [Fotmob], and will need to keep it up to keep his place as Villa close in on a move for Nice striker Evan Guessand [BBC].

Konsa has been a stalwart at the back for Villa for the last six years, and this was no different as he commanded his area with authority and never lost sight of Roma’s burly frontman Artem Dovbyk.

The 27-year-old played a full 90 in Walsall and completed 40 of 44 passes, won the one tackle he made, won five of seven ground duels and was the most fouled player on the pitch, winning three free-kicks [Fotmob], so his starting spot looks secure for yet another campaign.

Lots of the talk around Lions star Rogers has been about his off-pitch situation amid numerous links away, but this was a chance to impress on the pitch that he did not get to grasp with both hands.

He was substituted on at half-time only to go down clutching his ankle just six minutes later, and he was duly taken off to play no further part.

(Credit Imago)

Aston Villa fans are panicking about Rogers potentially being sidelined long-term, and that would be a cruel blow to the young winger as he gears up for what could be a career-defining season.

Much like Buendia, Jamaican international forward Bailey has been handed a reprieve by Emery this summer, but he again struggled to make much of an impact despite starting the game on Wednesday night.

The 27-year-old did not have a hand in any of the three goals that happened while he was playing, and ended his appearance with no chances created, no shots, no dribbles completed and just a single touch in Roma’s box [Fotmob].

It would be no surprise to see him move closer to the exit door after this performance, with Villa having seemingly moved past needing a player of his quality to start week-in, week-out.

McGinn is a cult-hero at Villa Park who is sure to remain influential as the new season arrives, but his starting spot could be in danger after Buendia’s impressive exploits against Roma.

AppearancesGoalsAssists2753040McGinn’s Villa career stats

The Scotland international has started just one of the club’s four first-team friendlies so far this summer, and with Newcastle lining up a move for McGinn’s services, he may be in line for either a move away or a reduced role in the squad if the Argentine playmaker continues in a similar vein of form.

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