Aston Villa’s pre-season tour of Asia gave Unai Emery plenty to consider, with several players strengthening their case for a bigger role before competitive football begins.
Villa beat Indonesia All Stars and BG Pathum United before finishing the trip with a 2-1 defeat against Bayern Munich in Hong Kong.
Results were secondary, but Emery needed fitness, competition and evidence that players could contribute after a summer of significant squad change.
ReadAstonVilla’s player ratings from the Bayern Munich defeat highlighted several encouraging performances in the toughest examination of the tour.
Four players in particular can return to Birmingham feeling their position has improved.
Boubacar Kamara
Simply seeing Kamara playing again was one of Villa’s biggest positives.
The midfielder had spent more than six months out before making his return during the Asian tour and marked it with a goal in the 3-1 victory over BG Pathum United.
Kamara was subsequently trusted against Bayern as Emery continued increasing his workload.
With Youri Tielemans gone and Amadou Onana facing a lengthy absence, Kamara’s availability changes the picture significantly.
Villa are still pursuing another midfielder, but a fit Kamara remains one of Emery’s most important players.
Marco Bizot
Bizot arguably produced his strongest performance of pre-season against Bayern.
The 35-year-old was required repeatedly as Bayern controlled long periods of the game and made several important saves to keep Villa within touching distance.
Bavarian Football Works singled Bizot out for his performance against Bayern, praising a series of stops which prevented the scoreline becoming more comfortable.
Emiliano Martínez remains Villa’s established No.1 while he stays at the club.
Bizot’s tour nevertheless demonstrated that Emery has an experienced alternative capable of stepping in when required.
That becomes particularly valuable across another campaign containing Premier League, Champions League and domestic cup football.
Emi Buendía
Buendía quietly enjoyed an encouraging tour.
The Argentina international opened the scoring in Villa’s 3-1 victory against Indonesia All Stars before finding the net again against BG Pathum United.
Those contributions matter after Morgan Rogers and Tielemans left Villa this summer.
Buendía cannot replicate everything either player offered, but he remains one of Emery’s most technically accomplished attacking midfielders and understands the manager’s demands.
Villa supporters watching the Indonesia game also highlighted Buendía’s sharpness, with the 3-1 victory providing him with his first goal of the Asian programme.
Johan Manzambi’s injury creates another short-term opening behind Ollie Watkins.
Buendía has done his chances of filling it no harm.
Tammy Abraham
Abraham entered the tour needing minutes more than most.
Shoulder surgery had interrupted his summer and Villa remain willing to assess suitable offers for the striker, leaving his place in Emery’s long-term plans uncertain.
His involvement against Bayern was therefore important.
Abraham was introduced as Villa chased the game and helped give Emery’s side a different focal point during their strongest attacking period.
The Bayern match report confirms Abraham was among Villa’s second-half introductions as they eventually reduced the deficit late on.
Ollie Watkins remains the first-choice striker, while Villa have continued to assess the forward market.
Abraham can still make that decision more difficult.
His first priority was getting back onto the pitch and proving he can contribute after surgery. The Asian tour provided an encouraging start.
Villa now return from Asia with several questions still unresolved.
Emery needs further additions and there could still be departures before the window closes, but Kamara, Bizot, Buendía and Abraham have each given him another reason to consider their role carefully.
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