Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa will travel to the north of France at the end of the week, and it is Bruno GΓ©nΓ©sio’s Stade Rennais who await them at Roazhon Park this Saturday. It will be the Villans’ final game before making the trip down south to face Scott Parker’s Bournemouth in the season opener, and the West-Midlands side aim to continue their unbeaten run from across the last month.
Villa began their pre-season by beating local side Walsall United by four goals to nil, before making the lengthy trip down-under to initiate their tour of Australia. Across the last two weeks, Gerrard’s team faced Premier League opposition in Leeds United and Manchester United, as well as A-league outfit Brisbane Roar whom were defeated by a sole Cameron Archer strike.
Jesse Marsch’s Leeds were dismantled by a single Danny Ings penalty, meanwhile Manchester United were held to a draw after a superb second-half display inspired by the likes of Leon Bailey and Emiliano Buendia, which cancelled out the Red Devils’ two goal lead at the break. Bailey halved the deficit just past half-time, and defender Calum Chambers brought the scores level in the final minute, after rising highest from a corner.
The squad travelled all over the country, from Queensland to Perth, spreading the AVFC love and allowing the claret and blue faithful down-under a chance to watch their beloved team play in the the flesh. The tour was a great success overall, and gifted valuable match minutes to the whole side; readying them for Premier League action next month.
Steven Gerrard announced his new Aston Villa captain ahead of the new season on Wednesday afternoon; the man he picked was last year’s vice-captain and fan favourite – John McGinn! The Scotsman replaces Tyrone Mings in the role and will lead the line throughout the 22/23 season, with his first official game as captain expected to be against Rennes this weekend. Additionally, goalkeeper Emi Martinez steps up to the vice-captain role and Ashley Young becomes the club captain for the season.
The former Rangers boss had the following to say regarding the new appointment: βJohn has demonstrated that he is ready to take on the captaincy through his performances on the pitch combined with his attitude and application in training. He is a popular member of the dressing room who sets high standards and expectations of himself.
Let’s take the focus back to Saturday’s fixture and take take a closer look at the two squads, starting with Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa:
- Goalkeepers: Oliwier Zych, Filip Marshall, Robin Olsen and Emiliano Martinez.
- Defenders: Matty Cash, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Frederic Guilbert, Calum Chambers, Josh Feeney, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Diego Carlos, Kortney Hause, Lucas Digne, Ben Chrisene, Ludwig Augustinsson and Ashley Young.
- Midfielders: Marvelous Nakamba, Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Jacob Ramsey, Morgan Sanson, Tim Iroegbunam, Aaron Ramsey, Emiliano Buendia, Carney Chukwuemeka and Philippe Coutinho.
- Forwards: Ollie Watkins, Cameron Archer, Danny Ings, Leon Bailey, Keinan Davis, Anwar El Ghazi and Bertrand Traore.
And now for Bruno GΓ©nΓ©sio’s Stade Rennais squad:
- Goalkeepers: Romain Salin, Alfred Gomis, Steve Mandanda and DoΔan Alemdar
- Defenders: Adrien Truffert, LoΓ―c BadΓ©, Lorenz Assignon, Warmed Omari, Birger Meling and Hamari TraorΓ©.
- Midfielders: Baptiste Santamaria, Benjamin Bourigeaud, Flavien Tait, Lovro Majer, Lesley Ugochukwu, Yann Gboho and James LΓ©a Siliki.
- Forwards: Martin Terrier, Serhou Guirassy, Kamaldenn Sulemana, JΓ©rΓ©my Doku, Loum Tchaouna, Andy Diouf, GaΓ«tan Laborde, Matthis Abline and Metehan GΓΌΓ§lΓΌ.
Youngster Jaden Philogene-Bidace signed a contract extension with the club on Tuesday, keeping him at the club until at least 2024. The winger also agreed a deal to leave for Championship side Cardiff City on loan for the 22/23 season. The 20 year-old will gain valuable experience, playing vital minutes with the Bluebirds and will look to return to the Aston Villa side the following season to stake a claim at a place in the first team.
Defender Kortney Hause’s return to the side is unknown after the 27 year-old missed both the Walsall fixture and tour of Australia through injury. Hause has spent his pre-season recovering at Bodymoor Heath and will fight across the next couple of weeks to recover ahead of the season’s beginning.
Keinan Davis is another man battling for fitness ahead of the new season, after failing to feature at all across pre-season, despite flying with the squad to Australia. The striker was heavily linked with a permanent move back to Nottingham Forest after a successful loan spell at the City Ground last season, but rumours seemed to have settled and it appears as if the 24 year-old with remain with the Villans.
Carney Chukwuemeka’s situation is unclear ahead of the 22/23 campaign, after boss Steven Gerrard left the talented midfielder out of the squad for the Australia trip due to contractual reasons. The gaffer revealed that an offer had been on the table for the 18 year-old for some time, but a failure to agree a deal and sign said contract leads many to believe Chuk is on his way out at some point across the next 12 months. AC Milan, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund are among the clubs linked.
Stade Rennais lost key defender Nayef Aguerd during the summer window, after the Moroccan secured a deal with London side West Ham United; bolstering their defense. They currently face a battle to keep key forward Martin Terrier at the club too, with many clubs (including Everton and Leeds) after the Frenchmen’s signature. Terrier scored 21 goals last season in Ligue 1 and his impressive form has sparked interest across Europe.
Defender Warmed Omari is the only player unavailable for this weekend’s clash at Roazhon Park with a groin injury that looks set to keep the 22 year-old out until the end of September. Aside from this however, Rennes have a fully fit squad ready to face Aston Villa this weekend, and a full crowd await the two teams, including a sell-out away allocation of approximately 1300 travelling Villans.
Can Steven Gerrard’s men head into the season unbeaten and full of confidence, or will Stade Rennais put an end to their fine pre-season form and indicate work to do for the claret and blue ahead of the new campaign?
AUTHOR | LIAM DAVIES
Author’s UTV PODCAST archive liamayrtondavies – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
UTV PODCAST HQ
SUBSCRIBE
Enjoying this article – then please subscribe to UTVPODCAST | An Aston Villa Blog to help us grow and support the site; you’ll receive instant email notifications of all released article.
Plus, it’s completely free.
VILLA BELLAS
Villa Bellas is the Official AVFC Womenβs Network. In an unequal and often unrelenting world we work to break down barriers for equality.
Our network aims to raise the voice of women and non-binary people at @AVFCOfficial We support inclusion & diversity and with our allies, we can challenge sexism and misogyny, creating a safe and welcoming environment for the fans in the stands and the women on the pitch.
Let’s celebrate ourselves and champion each other while having fun doing it!
Twitter: @villabellas Instagram: @villa.bellas
DONATE
UTVPODCAST | An Aston Villa Blogβ is accepting small donations, which will help to support the site’s ongoing evolution.
Thank you so much for your support.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook and Twitter readers, click the respective icon below to follow our utvpodcast social media accounts.
UTVPODCAST is pleased to partner with Official AVFC Store, Fanatics, Kitbag, and Classic Football Shirts. Throughout the season, we will bring you special offers and discount codes.
ASTON VILLA | AVFC STORE
2022/23 Aston Villa Home Shirt – Shop Now
ASTON VILLA | CLASSIC FOOTBALL SHIRTS
