Unai Emery was happy with the test provided by Nashville SC after Aston Villa drew 2-2 with the MLS side in a pre-season friendly in Tennessee on Sunday morning.
Ollie Watkins and Donyell Malen put Villa 2-0 up before Nashville scored twice late on in a match in which Emery used a total of 23 players.
Advertisement
It was Villa’s second match in the United States after a win over St Louis City last week. That was the club’s only win so far in pre-season after defeats to Walsall and Hansa Rostock and a draw with Eintracht Frankfurt.
“We’re finishing here our pre-season in the United States with the match we played,” he said post-match.
“With the same objective, play all the players available and mixing young players with players getting fit.
“Of course, it’s not my objective now to play or set the starting XI players.
“I want to try to get everyone in the same structure and in the same combination or different combinations we can have.
Advertisement
“Nashville played well and I know they are performing fantastic in their league here in the MLS.
“We faced them, respecting them, and even when we were 2-0 they were able to claim back a result. They drew and, of course, they showed their capacity.
“Last year we played against Columbus Crew, this year we played against St. Louis City, here (against Nashville) and all matches we play against MLS teams – sometimes we are winning, sometimes losing and sometimes drawing.
“The level they have is a very good level.”
How are you feeling about Villa’s season to come? Tell us
[BBC]
