This season should unveil a refreshed Aston Villa under Unai Emery.
Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to Real Sociedad will have irked their perfectionist head coach, but there’s still ample time for him to fine-tune the Europa League holders before the campaign begins.
With Brian Madjo, George Hemmings and Modou Cisse expected to be involved more regularly, there were encouraging signs to take from the meeting with the La Liga side.
Teenage striker Madjo was a standout.
Villa are awaiting a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling on their bid to register the England Under-17 international, signed from Metz for £10m in January, who doesn’t turn 18 until next January.
Because under-18s generally can’t complete international transfers, Villa argue Madjo’s London birth should grant an exemption, despite his three caps for Luxembourg.
Fifa allows certain exceptions for minors, including transfers within the EU for 16- and 17-year-olds—though the UK is no longer in the bloc.
At 6ft 4in, Madjo has drawn comparisons to Romelu Lukaku. His 56th-minute equaliser to make it 2-2 was uncomplicated but showed a striker’s instinct.
He gave Sociedad problems with his strength and power, and with Ollie Watkins still on a post-World Cup break and Tammy Abraham easing back from a shoulder issue, Madjo has a window to impress.
He cannot feature in competitive matches yet, but there’s a tantalising prospect of the powerful youngster making his Premier League bow in the new year—or sooner, if Villa’s appeal succeeds.
The club are still pursuing a striker—Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson remains a prime target—but Madjo is someone Emery can quietly polish before he steps into the spotlight.
There’s work to do, though. Emery spent much of the first half visibly animated on the touchline, muttering to himself and consulting the bench.
He appeared frustrated that instructions to Madjo and 19-year-old midfielder Hemmings—particularly to hold wider positions—weren’t being followed.