Aston Villa Dismantles AS Roma in Pre-Season Showdown: A Statement of Intent for 2025/26

In a blistering display of pace, precision, and power, Aston Villa sent shockwaves through their pre-season preparations with a commanding 4-0 win over AS Roma. Played at a packed Walsall’s Bescot Stadium, this wasn’t just a friendly—it was a statement. Unrelenting from the first whistle, Unai Emery’s side looked every bit a club ready to take Europe by storm.

First Half: Electric Energy, Ruthless Execution

The match sparked to life almost immediately. Within minutes, Villa showcased their attacking intent with crisp ball movement and lightning-fast transitions. It was academy graduate Omari Kellyman who opened the scoring in spectacular fashion. Calm and composed beyond his years, the youngster slotted home after a slick team move that carved Roma’s defense apart.

Kellyman wasn’t done. Riding a wave of confidence, he doubled the lead shortly after with another clinical finish, bringing fans to their feet. At just 18, the midfielder is quickly evolving from promising prospect to first-team contender—and this performance might have just accelerated that journey.

Second Half: Dominance Maintained

Roma attempted to regroup after the break, but Villa continued their relentless tempo. Matty Cash, charging forward from right-back, added Villa’s third with a composed strike that underscored his growing influence in attack. Villa’s wide players repeatedly found space behind Roma’s full-backs, and the Italians struggled to keep up with the Premier League side’s pace and energy.

The final blow came from Moussa Diaby. After a frustrating spell battling injuries last season, Diaby reminded everyone of his explosive potential. With dazzling footwork and a low-driven finish, he made it 4-0, capping off a performance that left Villa fans dreaming of what’s to come this season.

Unai Emery’s Tactical Blueprint

While the goals were impressive, the structure and fluidity of Villa’s play were even more telling. Emery’s fingerprints were all over the performance—controlled build-up from the back, sharp pressing when out of possession, and smart positional rotations. The team looked balanced and brimming with confidence, suggesting that last season’s European surge was no fluke.

Youngsters like Kellyman and Tim Iroegbunam took their chances with maturity, while established stars such as Douglas Luiz and Diaby looked sharp and focused. Even the squad rotation didn’t dull the cohesion—proof of how deeply Emery’s philosophy has taken root.

Roma Left Searching for Answers

For Roma, the defeat was a stark reminder of the work still to be done before their Serie A campaign kicks off. With several first-team names on the pitch, expectations were higher. But they were second-best in every department—slower to react, struggling to create, and vulnerable at the back.

Manager Daniele De Rossi will surely demand more steel and structure in the coming weeks. Against Villa, Roma looked more like passengers than participants.

Villa Fans Dream Big

As pre-season tests go, this one felt more like a declaration. Villa, who have steadily grown under Emery’s stewardship, seem poised to take on greater challenges—both domestically and in Europe. The blend of youth and experience, of tactical discipline and attacking flair, is clicking into place at just the right time.

Yes, it’s still pre-season. But Villa’s 4-0 dismantling of Roma was more than just a confidence booster. It was a performance that suggested something bigger is brewing in Birmingham.

One thing is clear: Aston Villa aren’t just preparing for another season—they’re preparing for a leap.