Shaky defences

Summary of the first week in the 2nd season:

Round 1

There was a lot of hype around Villa's first game this season, at home against PSV, but instead we fell to the Dutch side. 3-0 was a loss tough to take, but given that 3 of the debutants were defenders, the chemistry is bound to increase in the coming games. As expected, the 4-2-3-1 formation will be the preferred one of Rahul W, one that is more defensive but has worked for Villa in the past. Hitz, Lora and Park made their debuts, and ratings of 5, 6 and 6 respectively show that there is room for improvement. To be fair, the rest of the team also got a 7. Record signing Ruben Garcia also got a start but did not impress, still looking for a debut goal. Unknown Oztumer got himself an assist  and two yellows for Veretout, what a prick. A minor injury for Clark and two yellows for Veretout meant that the season did not start off well for Villa.

vs PSV (H, 0-3): Hitz (5); Lora (6), Richards, 58' (6), Clark (6), Park (6); Sanchez (6), Gueye (6); Djuricic (6), Veretout, 11', 73' (6), Garcia (6), Ayew (6)

Goals: Jurgen Locadia (14'), Luuk de Jong (pen, 37'), Adam Maher (free-kick, 63') -> ALL PSV

Assists: Erhun Oztumer (14') (PSV)

MOTM: Luuk de Jong (1 goal) (PSV)

Round 2

We travelled to Italy next, where we faced the tricky Sampdoria, containing Niklas Moisander who we failed to bring to the club. Shame for him. This was more like the team I knew, and the game was gone by the hour mark. Okore got a first start for the season, while new signing Ignacio Scocco made his debut as well, with the rest of the team remaining the same. A first goal for Park too. Great win away from home, and one that was needed. 

vs Sampdoria (A, 3-0): Hitz (7); Lora (6), Richards (6), Okore, 8' (6), Park (7); Sanchez (8), Gueye (7); Sinclair (6), Djuricic (8), Garcia (7); Scocco (7)

Goals: Filip Djuricic (15') , Idrissa Gueye (59'), Park Joo-Ho (63')

Assists: Carlos Sanchez (15'), Ruben Garcia (59'), Filip Djuricic (63')

MOTM: Filip Djuricic (1 goal and 1 assist)

TOTW 2: Park Joo-Ho (1), Carlos Sanchez (1), Filip Djuricic (1)

We currently sit 10th, with our next opponents a place above. They however have the in-form Jamie Vardy, who will be a test to our rotated XI. We then face Swansea whom we should beat. Looking forward to it.

Other business (friendlies)

We also had a friendly yesterday against Olympiakos. Apparently a fax sent late (I'm looking at you Mr. Perez) meant that David Senior sent his best team to Villa while we played the youth kids. Tough game for them, 0-4 loss, but can't expect better. We go back to Olympiakos on Tuesday in order to play a proper YT friendly. Haha.