Yahoo News Unai Emery's transfer decision justified as Aston Villa unearth more gems
Aston Villa won 3-2 at Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, in a game in which Unai Emery saw fit to blood one or two of his first-team stars - including Emiliano Buendia. The Argentine, who was given the captain's armband as he lined up alongside Ross Barkley and, in the second half, Jacob Ramsey, ended a 465-day wait for competitive action - stretching back to the final day win over Brighton in May 2023.
Buendia scored twice in the first half, including one excellent volley from a Barkley corner, but Villa were pegged back in the second period when Ronan Coughlan and then Mipo Odubeko plundered to draw the hosts level. Just when it appeared as though penalties were on the agenda, young Kyrie Pierre popped up and finished well to claim all the points for Villa.
The young Lions will head to Bolton next month and then onto Barrow in October for the remainder of their group phase. Here are the talking points from Highbury.
READ: Villa player ratings v Fleetwood as Buendia shines in front of Unai Emery
READ: Emiliano Buendia showed a new quality for Aston Villa after 465-day wait
Emery's reminder
Villa made the decision to loan out a host of first team players in the transfer window. Some - Alex Moreno, Philippe Coutinho and Leander Dendoncker - had no place in Emery's immediate plans and were permitted moves to ensure they had a better chance of regular first-team football elsewhere.
Others - Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea - weren't tried and tested in England's top flight and many expected them to play a part over the course of the season, with the League Cup and Champions League about to begin and, in doing so, add to a schedule which is set to test Villa's squad.
This, then, was a reminder that Villa's squad is deeper than last year in certain areas. Barkley's game time since returning to the club has been limited and Buendia's non-existent this season, so Emery will have been heartened to see his players on the fringes of the starting XI turning in performances such as these against senior opponents. It justified the loan of Barrenechea, especially, in the central area. Throw in Boubacar Kamara and Villa looked stacked.
The new wave
I thought Ben Broggio looked really bright for large portions of this game on the right hand side, continuing his form from the PL2 into this competition and not appearing for a moment as though he'd be daunted by the prospect of going up against a senior opponents. Broggio has a couple of goals to his name in the PL2 this season and now seems a fixture at this age group, despite being just 17.
Broggio might be a nimble winger with Jack Grealish-inspired socks rolled down to his ankles, but for 17 he looks as though he can handle himself. With the ball at his feet, he caused problems with his dribbling abilities and quick feet, married with his energy and willingness to run.
He came close to scoring on more than one occasion, too, in the first half when connecting with Travis Patterson's whipped centre from the left and then, for the second time, he hit the side netting in the second half. There was just time at the death for Broggio to connect sweetly with a final attempt which was superbly parried by Fleetwood keeper Jay Lynch. Ben Broggio might be a name you hear a little more of in the coming months and years.
Familiar patterns
Like many clubs these days - especially ones with a controlling figure at the top such as Emery - an approach to games is rolled out irrespective of whether you're first team or academy. Villa here were no exception, and there was a familiarity - not only as regards to senior personnel participating - in aspects of Villa's game here.
They are building a 21s side which is a particularly young one, but which is already developing very quickly athletically. Patterson and Broggio, on either side of the pitch, reflected this perfectly, while Villa fans are now well versed in the abilities and potential of Lamare Bogarde. In midfield Todd Alcock wasn't overawed in the slightest when joined by first-team players and in fact complemented them.
Indeed, even if not perfect, there were Pau Torres-esque pass attempts from Sil Swinkels on the left side of defence, who began attacks from deep and backed himself to measure his longer passes, particularly a couple into the path of Patterson who created openings. It's with the first-team in mind - if you can hack this style at this level, you might be trusted in making the step up.
