Aston Villa will conclude their U.S. pre-season tour against Nashville SC this Saturday, with Unai Emery pushing for more players to get on the scoresheet.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has highlighted a key issue he’s determined to solve before the Premier League kicks off — increasing goal contributions across the squad.
Villa ended the 2024/25 season with 18 fewer league goals than the campaign before, despite qualifying for the Champions League. Emery now wants to see more end product from midfielders and wide forwards, especially as the club prepares for the demands of European competition.
During the club’s U.S. tour, only Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers have found the net. Both scored again as Villa beat St. Louis City 2-1 on Wednesday night, following a 2-2 draw with Frankfurt in Louisville.
Why Emery Is Demanding More Than Just Watkins and Rogers
Villa's goal threat has largely rested on the shoulders of Ollie Watkins, who carried much of the burden last term. While Rogers has shown signs of becoming a regular scorer, there’s concern that the side lacks enough variety in attack.
In last season’s Premier League campaign, only Youri Tielemans joined the duo in reaching double figures for total goal contributions. That shortfall was evident in tight games, where creativity and finishing let Villa down.
The likes of Leon Bailey, Jacob Ramsey and Emiliano Buendía are expected to take on more responsibility, with Emery testing several combinations in pre-season to spark greater fluidity.
“I Want to Add More Players Scoring Goals” — Emery Sends Clear Message
“I want to add more players scoring goals. Hopefully, we can do that in the next match against Nashville. The idea now is not just about the result — it’s about the shape, the confidence, and how we can find combinations that feel good.”
“Morgan scored in the first half and Ollie in the second. That’s important, but I want more players to step up. I’m using pre-season to try different players, see how they connect, and gather as much information as I can.” — Unai Emery
The head coach rotated his forward line in the States, with Buendía, Jamal Musiala (on trial), and new addition Donyell Malen all getting minutes. Emery made it clear that experimenting now is essential to unlocking more contributors when the season begins.
Pre-Season Goal Scorers – Aston Villa (USA Tour)
| Player | Goals | Matches Played |
|---|---|---|
| Ollie Watkins | 2 | 2 |
| Morgan Rogers | 2 | 2 |
| Others | 0 | — |
Analyst Verdict
Unai Emery knows his side can't thrive in Europe relying solely on Watkins. With more fixtures and tougher opponents ahead, spreading the goals is non-negotiable.
The manager's comments suggest a push for tactical flexibility — and potentially a bigger role for returning players like Buendía and Ramsey. Villa don’t just need scorers — they need creators and finishers across the pitch.
Key Takeaways
- Emery wants broader goal contributions heading into the new season.
- Villa scored 18 fewer league goals last season than in 2023/24.
- Watkins and Rogers remain the only scorers in pre-season.
- Buendía, Bailey, Ramsey, and Malen could be key to changing that.
What’s Next for Aston Villa?
Unai Emery’s side will wrap up their U.S. pre-season tour this Saturday against MLS outfit Nashville SC — their final tune-up before returning to the UK.
The match will be Emery’s last chance to test attacking combinations in a match setting before Villa host Lazio at Villa Park next weekend in their final friendly. The season opener follows swiftly after, with a Premier League clash away at Brentford on August 18.
Expect Emery to push for sharper execution in front of goal — and more names on the scoresheet — as he looks to take momentum into a demanding domestic and European campaign.
Should Emery demand a new attacker — or can Villa's current squad deliver more goals?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 31 Jul 2025 10:21
they need it but it seems like they dont have the money to spend? I mean a lot of rumors, but nothing happening actually... might be wrong but if they dont sell, they won't buy?
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