The Final Preseason Countdown for Villa
Fresh from their USA pre-season tour, Aston Villa returned home with questions still swirling around squad depth, tactical readiness, and how well they’re truly set for the challenges ahead.
In this episode of the My Old Man Said podcast, David, Chris, and Phil unpack the highs, lows, and eyebrow-raising moments from Villa’s Stateside adventure – from standout performances to defensive lapses that can’t be ignored.
The team break down the integration of new signings, the progress of returning players, and where Unai Emery still has work to do before the Premier League kicks off. They also examine how the travel schedule, commercial commitments, and off-pitch fan engagement might impact the team’s season preparation.
Beyond the tour, there’s discussion on the latest transfer rumours, the balance between building squad quality and meeting UEFA’s financial rules, and what Villa must do in the final weeks of the window to ensure they’re ready to compete both domestically and in Europe.
Episode Highlights:
Readiness Check – Are Villa really prepared for the season ahead?
USA Tour Takeaways – Key performances, fitness updates, and tactical signs.
Squad Shape – Is there still upside from last season’s fringe players
Defensive Concerns – Issues exposed on tour that need urgent attention.
Transfer Talk & UEFA Constraints – Balancing ambition with compliance.
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Credits:
David Michael – @myoldmansaid
Chris Budd – @BUDD_music
Phillip Shaw – @prsgame
