Aston Villa and AS Roma played out a hard-fought 0-0 draw in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, as both teams ramp up their preparations for the upcoming season. The match, held at Walsall’s Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium due to ongoing maintenance at Villa Park, provided a competitive test for two clubs with ambitions in the Europa League.
The evening began with a slight delay, as the kick-off was pushed back by 15 minutes to 7:45 PM BST because the Aston Villa team bus was held up in traffic, according to a report from BirminghamLive. Once underway, Unai Emery’s side started brightly. Leon Bailey nearly opened the scoring in the first minute with a powerful drive from inside the box, but his effort was well-saved by Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar. Villa continued to press and came even closer when defender Tyrone Mings saw his header from a set-piece rattle the woodwork. Despite these promising chances and a sharp performance from Emi Buendía, Villa could not find a breakthrough against a resilient Roma defence.
Unai Emery fielded a strong starting lineup, signaling his intent to fine-tune his squad ahead of the Premier League opener against Newcastle United. The XI included Emiliano Martínez in goal, quashing recent transfer speculation, alongside a midfield anchored by Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara, with Ollie Watkins leading the attack. The match was Villa’s sixth of the pre-season, following an unbeaten three-match tour of the United States. Emery is expected to continue rotating his squad heavily in the final weekend friendlies against Marseille and Villarreal to ensure his players are match-fit.
For AS Roma, managed by club legend Daniele De Rossi, the match was part of a brief tour of England. The Italian side, who finished fifth in Serie A last season, showcased their defensive solidity. Their lineup featured a mix of established players and new faces, including summer arrivals like Neil El Aynaoui. The Giallorossi created few clear-cut opportunities but remained organized throughout, successfully neutralizing Villa’s attack to secure the stalemate.
Off the pitch, there was significant news for Villa supporters. The club is reportedly on the verge of completing a major signing, with forward Evann Guessand set to join from French club OGC Nice. According to reports, Villa has agreed to a deal worth approximately £26 million for the Ivorian international, who is expected to undergo a medical shortly. His arrival will provide a welcome boost to Emery’s attacking options. Meanwhile, several players, including Alex Moreno and Leander Dendoncker, are expected to depart the club before the transfer window closes.
Ultimately, the goalless draw served as a valuable exercise for both teams. It allowed them to test their tactical setups against high-caliber opposition and give crucial minutes to key players. With their domestic seasons fast approaching, both Aston Villa and AS Roma will take positives from the disciplined and competitive encounter as they finalize their preparations.
