Aston Villa news moved quickly on Friday as Unai Emery’s side finished their Asian tour against Bayern Munich, fresh concern emerged over Ezri Konsa and Villa Women completed another summer signing.
Villa were beaten 2-1 by Bayern in Hong Kong, but there were positives during a strong late response. Transfer developments involving Jonathan Rowe and Konsa also continued, while Marco Bizot strengthened Emery’s goalkeeping options and Lily Murphy arrived at Villa Women.
Here is everything you may have missed from ReadAstonVilla on Friday.
Aston Villa news after Bayern Munich defeat
Villa ended their Asian tour with a narrow defeat as Kim Min-jae and Luis Díaz put Bayern two goals ahead before João Gomes struck late.
Our full Bayern Munich 2-1 Aston Villa match report details how Villa improved considerably during the closing stages, with Tammy Abraham almost equalising only for Manuel Neuer to make an excellent save.
Gomes was Villa’s standout performer and received an 8/10 in our Aston Villa player ratings against Bayern Munich, while Bizot and Abraham were also among the players to emerge with credit.
Villa’s official match report confirmed the result brought Emery’s Asian tour to a close before competitive football begins.
The performance also provided a warning ahead of Wednesday. ReadAstonVilla analysed what the Bayern defeat showed Emery before the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, particularly Villa’s slow start against elite opposition.
Konsa uncertainty grows as Villa revive Rowe interest
Away from the pitch, Ezri Konsa’s future produced one of Friday’s biggest stories.
Fresh reports suggested members of the Villa squad are becoming increasingly resigned to the England defender leaving this summer. Arsenal remain interested and Liverpool are now monitoring the situation, with ReadAstonVilla covering the growing uncertainty surrounding Konsa.
Villa’s reported £60million valuation remains significant and no agreement has been reached.
There was also a fresh attacking transfer development. Villa have reportedly reopened enquiries for Bologna winger Jonathan Rowe following John McGinn’s injury, bringing a previously quiet transfer trail back to life.
The 23-year-old could cost around €45m after Bologna rejected an Everton offer, with the latest Jonathan Rowe to Aston Villa transfer update available here.
Tammy Abraham’s position was another theme before the Bayern game. With Villa considering their options in attack, we looked at why Abraham has an opportunity to change Emery’s transfer thinking.
His lively substitute appearance against Bayern only strengthened that argument.
Bizot impresses as Villa Women complete Murphy signing
Marco Bizot also gave Emery encouragement in Hong Kong.
The goalkeeper made several important saves during Bayern’s strongest spells, providing further evidence that Villa possess reliable cover behind Emiliano Martinez. ReadAstonVilla assessed why Bizot’s performance offers reassurance after the latest Martinez update.
There was confirmed transfer business elsewhere at the club.
Villa Women completed the season-long loan signing of Lily Murphy from Manchester City, giving Natalia Arroyo another young attacking option before the new WSL campaign.
Attention will gradually turn towards competitive football over the coming days. Villa meet Champions League winners PSG in Salzburg on Wednesday, 12 August, with full UK television, streaming and kick-off details already available on ReadAstonVilla.
Friday therefore brought more than a pre-season defeat. Emery gained another important look at his squad, transfer questions continued and Villa’s preparations for their first trophy opportunity of the season moved another step closer.
