Unai Emery was given the first chance to properly assess his squad on Wednesday evening as Aston Villa battled Walsall in their first pre-season friendly.
Aston Villa’s opening challenge of pre-season ended in a 3-0 win to Unai Emery’s side, as the Premier League club duelled with League Two Walsall.
The Spaniard fielded two entirely different XI’s in the first and second half, seeing two goals netted before the interval by Morgan Rogers.
Right before the final whistle, academy ace Louie Barry added the third in a bid to impress the boss after his 2023/24 loan spell with Stockport.
It was a chance for Villa fans to see some new faces in action on the pitch for the first time, with one interesting interaction noticed involving Kosta Nedeljkovic.
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What Aston Villa ace Leon Bailey said to Kosta Nedeljkovic pre-match against Walsall
Signed in January from Red Star, Nedeljkovic continued the 2023/24 season on loan with his former club before making the move to Bodymoor Heath this summer.
The 18-year-old defender’s arrival was highly anticipated after impressing last term for Red Star, where he featured in the Champions League.
On Wednesday night, Villa fans were given the opportunity to see the right-back’s talent for themselves, as the teenager played the second half against Walsall.
Before the game, Villa favourite Leon Bailey was spotted in conversation with Nedeljkovic, as noticed by journalist John Townley.
Townley noted that the Jamaican took the teen aside and was ‘gesturing how’ he wanted the full-back to play balls ‘down the wing’.
Playing on the same flank as each other in the second half, it’s clear to see why Bailey was eager to personally brief the youngster on the most efficient way to gel on the flank.
Bailey and Nedeljkovic could be a pairing to watch next season
Pre-season will be a crucial time for all of Emery’s players, more so figures such as Nedeljkovic who will be eager to impress the manager.
Fortunately, there could be a vacancy for the 18-year-old to break into, with Matty Cash’s position at right-back far from guaranteed based on last season’s set-up.
Emery seemed to favour the defensive stability of Ezri Konsa over Cash on the right side of defence, putting his game time at risk ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
A fast start in pre-season for Nedeljkovic could be hugely significant ahead of his first term at Villa, particularly if a partnership with Bailey blossoms, giving the boss something to think about.
