Aston Villa continued their pre-season tour of the Far East with a 3-1 victory over BG Pathum in Thailand, but the win was overshadowed by injuries to Alejandro Garnacho and John McGinn. The match, played in Bangkok, saw Villa dominate for long periods, with goals from Emi Buendía, Victor Lindelöf, and Boubacar Kamara securing the result.
First-Half Dominance
Villa took the lead in the 12th minute when Emi Buendía finished off a well-worked move down the right, converting Matty Cash's cross. The goal mirrored Buendía's strike in the previous friendly against Indonesia All Stars, showing his growing influence in pre-season. Villa doubled their advantage before half-time when Victor Lindelöf powered a header home from Alysson's corner, giving the defence a comfortable lead at the break.
Alejandro Garnacho, who started on the left wing, was forced off just before half-time with a bloodied mouth after a collision with BG Pathum's Ryan Edwards. The Argentine winger had a quiet first half, with his touch appearing loose and his link-up play with teammates off the mark. Despite the injury, the club will hope it is only a minor issue, with the season opener against Brighton still two-and-a-half weeks away.
Kamara's Return and McGinn's Injury
The second half saw Boubacar Kamara make his first appearance in seven months after a long injury layoff. The French midfielder came on in the 60th minute and scored within moments, sweeping Villa into a three-goal lead. His return is a major boost for manager Unai Emery, who will be counting on Kamara's quality in the upcoming UEFA Super Cup clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Villa's joy was tempered by John McGinn's injury. The captain, who came on at half-time, landed awkwardly on his left knee and was forced off. McGinn had earlier rattled the crossbar with a stunning strike from distance, which would have been a memorable goal. His fitness will be a concern ahead of the Bayern Munich friendly on Friday and the start of the Premier League campaign.
Player Ratings and Performances
Several players impressed in the match. Marco Bizot returned to the starting XI after James Wright played the full 90 minutes in the previous game. Matty Cash captained the side and provided an early assist for Buendía's goal. TJ Carroll was composed in possession, showing neat footwork to escape pressure in the 16th minute. Victor Lindelöf, who featured in midfield against Indonesia All Stars, slotted in at centre-back and capped his display with a goal.
Triston Rowe operated at left-back in the first half before switching to his preferred right-back role after the break. Lamare Bogarde played in the double pivot and was involved in the opening goal, linking well with Cash and Alysson. João Gomes picked up a knock in the ninth minute but recovered to cause problems for the Pathum defence. Alysson was a constant threat down the left, playing a part in both first-half goals.
Among the substitutes, George Hemmings, who replaced the injured Garnacho at half-time, continued to stake his claim for a first-team spot. Pau Torres and Luka Lynch also came on, with Lynch having a shot blocked in the 53rd minute. Brian Madjo nearly added a third goal in the 57th minute, while Ian Maatsen enjoyed breaking forward from left-back. Brad Burrowes combined well with Lynch but could have shot sooner in the 70th minute.
Looking Ahead
Villa's pre-season schedule now intensifies, with only three friendlies remaining, all against top-quality opposition. The next test is against Bayern Munich in Hong Kong on Friday, followed by a clash with Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup. Emery will be hoping that Garnacho and McGinn recover quickly, as both players are key to his plans.
The major positive from the match was Kamara's return, with the Frenchman scoring just moments after coming on. His class was evident, and his availability adds depth to Villa's midfield. While the Bayern game is the immediate focus, the Super Cup against PSG is just over a week away, and Villa will need to be at full strength to compete with Europe's elite.
