Latest Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Unai Emery’s side claim their first win of pre-season over Fulham in Orlando

Aston Villa defeated Fulham 2-0 in their latest Premier League Summer Series friendly at the Exploria Stadium in Orlando.

Jaden Philogene broke the deadlock for Villa late in the first period after Cameron Archer missed a penalty earlier in the half. The striker had also squandered a big chance to score his first goal of pre-season before Philogene managed to put Villa ahead before the break.

Moussa Diaby then doubled Villa’s advantage in the second half as he marked his pre-season debut with a goal. The France international raced behind the Fulham defence before slamming beyond Marek Rodak in the Fulham goal.

Diaby didn’t see too much of the ball in the half that he played, but it’s a strong sign of a top player that they’re able to score with the one chance they get in a game. He was never going to pass up on the opportunity to convert past Rodak with the amount of time he gave himself – given the angle of run which he made – to get the ball under control, assess his options and get a good connection on the ball.

He was clinical when it mattered most, as Villa were hanging on to their lead at the point in which he extended his side’s lead. Harry Wilson passed up on a golden opportunity to restore parity for Fulham, but he dragged his effort wide of the mark.

Diaby injected speed into Villa’s attack when he came on for John McGinn and was the first to press the Fulham goalkeeper into forcing passes. He lined up alongside Cameron Archer for the first half of the second period, before Ollie Watkins then came on for the England Under-21 international.

Unai Emery said of Diaby after full-time: “It was his first 45 minutes to give us information and trying to connect and to be with his teammates knowing them better.”

PHILOGENE SHOWS TWO SIDES TO HIS GAME

Villa lacked pace in their team last season, but could be devastating in transition next term if Philogene and Diaby are on the same pitch as Watkins. Philogene is currently on ‘trial’, and has been given the opportunity to make an impression on Emery this summer.

In all three friendlies Philogene has played in, he has been a contender for man of the match in each. He won a penalty against Walsall before impressing against Newcastle at the Lincoln Financial Field. Against Fulham, he bagged Villa’s opening goal by applying a cool finish to Lucas Digne’s cross.

The 21-year-old also showed he is capable of dropping into a back five, as he helped Ezri Konsa put the buffers on Fulham’s attack down that flank. Out of possession, Philogene played as a right wing-back to retain Villa’s solid structure, while Emi Buendia and John McGinn remained forward with Watkins in attack.

TIELEMANS WINS MOTM

Despite Philogene’s latest impressive display, it was Youri Tielemans who won man of the match at the Exploria Stadium. No qualms from me – he was excellent at the heart of Villa’s midfield.

Tielemans is a very clever footballer, and always knows where his next pass is going. He was a step ahead of the Fulham midfielders, who couldn’t get close to him at times. Picked up on a free transfer from Leicester City, the Belgian is a top addition to Emery’s squad this summer.

LUCAS DIGNE’S IMPORTANT ROLE

It’s key that Lucas Digne hits top form before the start of the new campaign knowing that he will be playing in the XI for at least the first four Premier League games next season given that Alex Moreno’s is recovering from a hamstring injury.

He put in a strong performance against Fulham and provided the all-important assist to break the deadlock in a game which was otherwise lacking quality. Digne has welcomed new signing Diaby into the squad alongside Boubacar Kamara, and the left-back’s experience will be key for Villa next term.

Digne has previously plied his trade in France, Italy and in Spain, while he made 23 Champions League appearances across spells at Lille, Paris Saint-Germain, Roma and Barcelona. The left-back is proven at the top level of European football and at 29 years of age, he is entering the prime years of his career. Digne has made 46 international caps for Les Bleus and also captained Everton during his time at Goodison Park.

CARLOS’ STRONG PERFORMANCE

Diego Carlos started his second match of pre-season last night after playing from the off at Walsall partnering young Josh Feeney, before then getting the second half with Pau Torres against Newcastle. Carlos played alongside the Spaniard once again against Fulham, and the duo complimented each other well.

Carlos used his power and speed to catch up with Fulham forward Carlos Vinicius so he could deny his compatriot a clear run on goal by ushering him off the ball and retrieving possession for Villa inside his own box. Now Emery has various options to pick from in centre-back, Carlos is using the opportunity he has in pre-season to stake his claim and make up for lost time in claret and blue after missing nearly the whole of last season through injury.