Aston Villa Make a Statement with Big Win Over AS Roma
No one was expecting such a one-sided affair, but Aston Villa left little doubt about their intentions for the upcoming season. On August 6, 2025, at a pre-season club friendly, they steamrolled Italian heavyweights AS Roma, ending the night with a clear 4-0 scoreline. The match, streamed worldwide on BBC iPlayer, wasn’t just a warm-up—it was a message.
Villa’s fans barely had time to get settled before the action started. Emiliano Buendía slotted home the opening goal in the 15th minute, breaking the ice against Roma’s disjointed backline. Just two minutes later, Jacob Ramsey doubled the lead, capitalizing on a defensive scramble. At this point, Roma looked rattled, barely keeping up with Villa’s pace and pressing.
The pressure didn’t let up. Ollie Watkins added a third goal in the 40th minute, turning the first half into a nightmare for the visitors. Villa was relentless, combining smooth passing with quick runs off the ball, keeping Roma pinned back in their own half.
This game wasn’t just about goals. It was about Villa’s entire system clicking into gear. The starting lineup featured a solid mix of experience and young energy: Martinez kept things calm in goal, Maatsen and Mings anchored the defense with Konsa and Bogarde, while Tielemans and Kamara bossed the midfield. Ramsey, Buendía, Bailey, and Watkins formed a dynamic attacking quartet that Roma simply couldn’t contain. Even late into the game, with fresh legs from the bench—like Donyell Malen, who found the net in the 85th minute—the intensity barely dropped.
The substitutes weren’t just making up the numbers either. Players like Bradley Burrowes, Triston Rowe, Travis Patterson, and Joe Gauci got their chance to impress, showing Villa’s depth ahead of a season where squad rotation will be key. It’s not every day a friendly match, meant as a tune-up, turns into a rout, but that’s exactly what happened here.
Roma’s Struggles on Full Display
For Roma, the night raised far more questions than answers. Their defense was leaky, unable to cope with Villa’s movement or press. High-profile names failed to impress, and their attempts to regroup just couldn’t stem Villa’s momentum. Even as they switched tactics mid-match, nothing seemed to stick. While pre-season friendlies are notorious for rusty performances, a 4-0 loss is tough to brush aside.
This match put Aston Villa’s attacking style front and center. Their fans will be buzzing, not just about the margin but also about how sharp and cohesive their team looked from back to front. Roma, meanwhile, heads back to the drawing board, as the new season looms large. There were no late dramatics—the referee didn’t add any stoppage time, putting Roma out of their misery right at the 90-minute mark.
Streaming the match free on BBC iPlayer meant fans worldwide could witness Villa’s statement win live. The Premier League side will look to carry this ruthless pre-season form into competitive fixtures, while Roma must patch up their leaks—fast. If Villa can keep up this level, they’ll be a team to watch once the real games begin.
