Aston Villa lost 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund in their final pre-season fixture ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
It was a dreary end to pre-season for Unai Emery’s side, who suffered another defeat in the build up to the Premier League opener against West Ham.
Signal Iduna Park played host to Borussia Dortmund’s victory over Aston Villa, with goals from Julian Brandt and Emre Can settling the scoreline.
The returns of Emi Martinez and Ezri Konsa were two positives to take from the game however, two prominent negatives were the goals that Villa conceded.
Can’s opener came from the penalty spot following a clumsy challenge from Konsa, with the second also coming as a result of a defensive error.
Pau Torres dribbled aimlessly in the penalty area before being dispossessed, allowing Brandt to score Dortmund’s second of the game and add to Villa’s problems.
Aston Villa fans react to Pau Torres’ performance against Borussia Dortmund
It was a day to forget for Torres and admittedly, a pre-season to forget for the Spaniard, who has struggled throughout Villa’s preparation ahead of the new campaign.
Against Dortmund, the centre-back won just one duel, lost possession nine times and made one goal-conceding error, via Sofascore, prompting Villa fans to react to his display.
Taking to X to share their thoughts on Torres’ performance at Signal Iduna Park, many concerns about the defender were raised.
“Pau Torres has had a stinker of a pre-season, hope he pulls his finger out next week,” one fan said, with another agreeing, “Pau has had a very rough pre-season.”
Other supporters focused on the Spain international’s error against Dortmund by saying, “Pau having a nightmare preseason and today again, gave away the ball 6 times and decision making and awareness at times is a real concern.”
Another fan was left bemused by the time the defender took to clear the ball in the penalty area before he was dispossessed, “Just put your foot through it…way too casual. 2 goals from Pau today, yes…he’s a great player, but not as great as some believe.”
After missing out on Spain’s Euro 2024 squad, Torres has been available for the entirety of Villa’s pre-season however, many haven’t seen the positives of the centre-back’s extended preparation time.
One supporter called on Tyrone Mings to return after seeing the 27-year-old’s blunder against Dortmund, “Anyone telling me Pau Torres walks in the team ahead of a fit Mings doesn’t know football. We desperately miss Tyrone Mings.”
Unai Emery needs to see more from Torres against West Ham
Fortunately, Torres’ poor performances have come in pre-season however, the Spaniard now has a point to prove next week.
Against West Ham, the stakes will be far higher as Villa will hope to get off to winning ways in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
Added to that, the 27-year-old will be peering over his shoulder as Mings prepares to re-enter the fold, which must push Torres to compete at the level many have become accustomed to seeing him at.
It’s been a trialling pre-season for Emery’s squad, who can forget all about the defeat to Dortmund and the results in the United States with an opening day win against the Hammers.
