Anthony Onifade

Thu 27 July 2023 20:10, UK Updated Thu 27 July 2023 20:40, UK

Aston Villa secured a 2-0 win over Premier League rivals Fulham in a pre-season clash in Florida and Villa Park sensation Jaden Philogene sent Unai Emery a telling reminder of what he could offer.

The Villains scored either side of the break, with Philogene breaking the deadlock after Bernd Leno had saved a penalty from Cameron Archer.

New signing Moussa Diaby – a £50million addition from Bayer Leverkusen – got the second after the break, with a low strike in the 73rd minute.

Following the entertaining 3-3 draw with Newcastle United on Monday 24 July, the Spanish coach will have learned a lot about his new and improved Aston Villa side as they stepped up their preparations for the new campaign.

While the addition of Diaby provides a welcome boost to their depleted attacking weaponry for next season, it remains to be seen whether Emery will be scouring the market for another winger.

But the former Villarreal manager could already possess an exciting solution right under his nose in Philogene-Bidace after an impressive showing against Fulham.

The 21-year-old took his goal brilliantly, showcasing his tremendous speed of thought and positioning in the penalty area to latch onto a brilliant cross from Lucas Digne at left-back with the 21-year-old finishing well between the legs of Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

Such actions in the box and understanding simply highlighted the maturity and development that the young Villa Park wonder would have learned from his 22/23 loan spell at Cardiff City.

The Englishman has registered five goals and one assist in 38 appearances in all competitions for the Bluebirds and was named Young Player of the Year in Cardiff’s end-of-season awards ceremony in May.

This hasn’t been Philogene-Bidace’s first successful loan spell in England’s second tier, as a successful half-season loan spell at Stoke City last year prompted Villa to tie down their man before deploying him back to the Championship for more vital experience and that he so elusively picked up as he emerged as one of Cardiff’s bright sparks in an otherwise dour campaign.

Former Stoke City manager Michael O’Neill was full of praise for the young star during his time with the Potters, describing him as a “sharp and dynamic” presence from the wing and that was truly evident through his 55% successful dribbles rate in the Championship last season whilst also excelling in his defensive attributes, winning 50% of his ground duels and averaging an impressive 1.7 tackles per game [SofaScore].

The traits that the attacker has been commended for are those typical of a player that flourishes under Emery. The Spaniard has been able to get the best out of the likes of John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey who were tasked with fulfilling unfamiliar roles out wide to compensate for Villa’s lack of attacking options.

Now, Emery has an abundance of talent at his disposal following the signing of Diaby but the potentially much-needed return of Philogene-Bidace who proved to every Aston Villa fan in the game against Fulham that he deserves a shot at Premier League stardom next season.

In other Aston Villa news, the club are interested in securing the services of a Champions League-winning free agent this summer.