Author

James Crawley writes

Posted Saturday, July 31st 2021 @CrawleyJames92

MansionBet Match Preview: Aston Villa (H)

Saturday, July 31st 2021

Our final pre-season fixture rolls around this Saturday, with Aston Villa heading to Ashton Gate.

They will become our first opponents to pay in front of a crowd in BS3 since March 2020 so it will be quite the occasion.

City v Villa ticket information

It was an electric start to the 2020/21 season for Villa, which included a stunning 7-2 victory over then-champions Liverpool. Ollie Watkins went on to end the season as the club’s top goalscorer in all competitions, with a hat-trick against Jürgen Klopp’s side that day contributing to his tally of 16.

However, after a losing ratio of 46% in the new year, Dean Smith's side slipped from three points off the top six to an 11th-placed finish, despite wins against Tottenham and Chelsea in their final two games.

This summer has seen 13 players depart Villa Park including Ahmed Elmohamady, Tom Heaton and Neil Taylor. However, the highly rated midfielder Emiliano Buendia completed his move from Norwich City, while Ashley Young adds experience as he returns to the club 10 years after leaving for Manchester United.

Villa do have an extra week on City, with the Premier League season starting on August 14th when Smith’s men head to Vicarage Road for their curtain raiser against Watford. Before that they will complete their pre-season schedule against Sevilla next Saturday.

Read the digital matchday programme

ASTON VILLA PROFILE

Formed: 1874
Stadium: Villa Park
Nickname: Villa
Manager: Dean Smith
Finish last season: 11th, Premier League

Honours:

First Division: 7 times
Second Division: 2 times
Third Division: 1971/72
FA Cup: 7 times
League Cup: 5 times
European Cup: 1981/82
UEFA Super Cup: 1982
Intertoto Cup: 2001

📍 MATCH DETAILS

Where: Ashton Gate
When: Saturday, July 31st, 1pm KO
Competition: Pre-season friendly

⚽️ Watch: Highlights v Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle

👀 ONE TO WATCH

Emiliano Buendia, pictured in 2020/21, challenges Chris Martin for the ball at Ashton Gae

Jack Grealish takes a lot of the plaudits but he remains under constant transfer speculation, with Manchester City reportedly closing in on a move for the England international.

However, midfielder Emiliano Buendia - last season's Championship Player of the Year - arrived at Villa Park for a reported £33 million from Norwich City.

The 24-year-old midfielder became a hit with the Canaries fanbase with 24 goals from 121 appearances – last season alone he registered 15 goals and 16 assists as he helped Norwich regain promotion to the Premier League.

⏮ MATCH REWIND...

Bristol City 3-1 Aston Villa
27.08.2016
Championship
Ashton Gate

A spectacular second-half turnaround saw Bristol City defeat Aston Villa for the first time in 37 years at Ashton Gate.

The hosts trailed as early as the fifth minute to Jack Grealish’s far-post volley, but struck twice in quick succession either side of the hour mark through Tammy Abraham and Joe Bryan to turn the game on its head.

Lee Tomlin’s late free kick put the result beyond doubt.

🆚 HEAD TO HEAD

Bristol City

Matches*: 65
Won: 26
Drew: 13
Lost: 23

Stats below based on the 2020/21 season...

Goals scored*: 57
Goals conceded*: 73

Championship position: 19th
Carabao Cup: Round Three
FA Cup: Round Five

Yellow cards*: 54
Red cards*: 3

Top goalscorer*: Nahki Wells 11
Most assists*: Antoine Semenyo 6
Best average rating (Opta): Tomas Kalas 6.95

Possession: 47.3%
Passing percentage: 70.5%
Tackle success percentage: 61.2%
Average aerial duels won: 24.4

*Stats available for all competitions

Aston Villa

Matches*: 42
Won: 18
Drew: 7
Lost: 17

Stats below based on the 2020/21 season...

Goals scored*: 62
Goals conceded*: 52

Premier League position: 11th
Carabao Cup: Round Four
FA Cup: Round Three

Yellow cards: 53
Red cards: 5

Top goalscorer*: Ollie Watkins 16
Most assists: Jack Grealish 6
Best average rating (Opta): Jack Grealish 7.56

Possession: 49.1%
Passing percentage: 78.6%
Tackle success percentage: 62.2%
Average aerial duels won: 19.4

*Stats available for all competitions

Coming to Ashton Gate? Secure your seat

Robins TV

Alternatively, follow all the action on Robins TV this Saturday.

Those who purchased a three-match pre-season pass (Celtic, Portsmouth and MK Dons), or are an annual or monthly international subscriber, will be able to view for free.

When logged into Robins TV, the system will register you have the correct entitlement to view so the stream will begin once you select ‘watch live’.

Alternatively, solo matchday passes will also be available for £10.