ROB NS 202 1 /22 DIGITAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
HOW WE’VE MISSED YOU
WELCOME BACK TO BS3 FOR PRE-SEASON FINALE
v
ASTON VILLA
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
ASHTON GATE | SAT JUL 31 | 1PM PRINCIPAL PARTNER
Kickstart your day
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ROBINS IN
FOCUS
17
NATHAN BAKER
AGE: 30 POSITION: Centre-back JOINED: July 2017
DID YOU KNOW? Born in Worcester, Baker worked his way through the Aston Villa Academy and initially joined the Robins on loan during the 2015/16 campaign, City’s first time back in the Championship after the double-winning 2014/15 season. He would rejoin the club permanently in July 2017. To date he has scored three goals for the club, including the loan spell. Baker went on to sign a new contract with the Robins this summer.
LOOK OUT FOR THE RED BUTTON Click on the red button when it appears in this programme for additional video content from the Robins' YouTube channel
THE GAFFER
NIGEL PEARSON 4 | T H E R O B N S Aston Villa
First of all, it’s great to have fans back here at Ashton Gate and in just a week’s time it will be a momentous occasion for the first league game against Blackpool. A few of you joined us for the trip to Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday and to see some of you at Home Park was a good experience in itself. You’ve all had to be very patient over the last 17 months, but you are the people who really matter, you are the life and soul of the game, so it is fantastic that you are able to re-join us.
"
we’ll be in a good position this season, but of course time will tell. I was delighted to re-sign Danny Simpson, Andreas Weimann and Nathan Baker on new contracts this summer. Alongside Andy King and Matty James – both I know from my time at Leicester City – as well as Rob Atkinson who I am sure can prove himself at this new level, they can provide us with a strong foundation heading into the new campaign.
YOU’VE ALL HAD TO BE VERY PATIENT OVER THE LAST 17 MONTHS, BUT YOU ARE THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY MATTER, YOU ARE THE LIFE AND SOUL OF THE GAME.
Our pre-season has been hard work but that’s exactly how it should be. The staff have put the group through a lot on the pitches, but there have been some excellent results and I am pleased with how the players have responded and embraced the challenge. Indeed, the most important aspect of the shift in atmosphere is driven by the players’ attitude to work. It’s been a huge effort from everyone but from what I’ve seen, we’ve really improved the players’ robustness. They’ve also approached each of the pre-season training games positively and I think
"
A
warm welcome to each of you joining us in the stands as we round off what has been a very good pre-season schedule.
Rebuilding those foundations and bringing in the right people as well as the right footballers has been a key aim over the summer, and I am happy with the squad before us today.
We have one final friendly fixture against Aston Villa and it’s another opportunity to put into practice what we have worked on and get more minutes into the players. The collective spirit is good, and I think we can all look forward to seeing what we can produce against a Premier League side. Sing loud, enjoy the match and thank you for your continued support. Cheers, Nige
T H E R O B N S Aston Villa | 5
ASTON VILLA We celebrate the return of fans to Ashton Gate against Aston Villa this afternoon. They become the first visitors to play to a crowd in BS3 since March 2020, with Dean Smith’s side gearing up for another campaign in the Premier League. Let’s take a closer look at today’s opponents…
CLUB FACTS
FORMED
1874 GROUND
VILLA PARK NICKNAME
VILLA MANAGER
DEAN SMITH HONOURS
1
7
7
5
European Cup winners: 1982 UEFA Super Cup winners: 1982 Football League Champions: 1893/94, 1895/96, 1896/97, 1898/99, 1899/1900, 1909/10, 1980/81 Second Division title winners: 1937/38, 1959/60 Third Division title winners: 1971/72 FA Cup winners: 1887, 1895, 1897, 1905, 1913, 1920, 1957 League Cup winners: 1961, 1975, 1977, 1994, 1996 FA Charity Shield: 1981 Intertoto Cup 2001
8 | T H E R O B N S Aston Villa
Villa's Bath-born England defender Tyrone Mings
V HEAD TO HEAD
45
We have played each other 45 times since 1900. That first fixture was a 5-1 win for City in the FA Cup though it would take 18 attempts before the Robins would beat Villa again, a 4-2 away win in May 1968. The last match between the two sides was last season's home 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat.
CITY v VILLA
W 10
MATCHES PLAYED
22%
Best victory: 5-1, December 1900
WIN RATE
Worst defeat: 0-5, November 1959 & January 2018
L 23
D 12
2020/21 IN NUMBERS LEAGUE
57 73 GOALS SCORED
R5
GOALS CONCEDED
54
11 TOP SCORER NAKHI WELLS
POSSESSION
47.3
%
PASSING PERCENTAGE
70.5
%
CHAMPIONSHIP
TACKLE SUCCESS
61.2
%
LEAGUE ONE
AVERAGE AERIAL DUELS WON
24.4
19TH
POSITION
YELLOW CARDS
R3
3
GOALS SCORED
6
6.95
R3
GOALS CONCEDED
RED CARDS
MOST ASSISTS ANTOINE SEMENYO
BEST AVERAGE RATING (OPTA) TOMAS KALAS
62 52
53
YELLOW CARDS
16 BEST AVERAGE RATING (OPTA) JACK GREALISH
R4
5
RED CARDS
6
MOST ASSISTS JACK GREALISH
TOP SCORER OLLIE WATKINS
7.56
11TH
POSITION
POSSESSION
49.1% PASSING PERCENTAGE
78.6% TACKLE SUCCESS
62.2% AVERAGE AERIAL DUELS WON
19.4
T H E R O B N S Aston Villa | 9
ASTON VILLA
KEY PLAYER
EMILIANO BUENDIA The summer signing arrived at Villa Park on a five-year contract for a reported £33 million from Norwich City. The 24-year-old midfielder became a hit with the Canaries fanbase with 24 goals from 121 appearances – last season alone he registered 15 goals and 16 assists as he helped Norwich regain promotion to the Premier League. The Argentinian was named Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season.
10 | T H E R O B N S Aston Villa
I
DID YOU KNOW?
T WOULD BE A MID-TABLE FINISH FOR ASTON VILLA, AFTER AN ELECTRIC START TO THE 2020/21 SEASON.
They started with a four-game winning run after beating Sheffield United 1-0 on the opening day, which included a stunning 7-2 victory over then-champions Liverpool. Ollie Watkins went on to end the season as the club’s top goalscorer in all competitions, with a hat-trick against Jürgen Klopp’s side that day contributing to his tally of 16. There was disappointment in the cups though, with a Carabao Cup round three exit at the hands of Stoke City, before they were knocked out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle. As it would be, Liverpool got their revenge that day returning to Villa Park with a 4-1 win.
City legend and kitman Scott Murray left his home country of Scotland when he signed for Aston Villa in 1994. He made a handful of appearances for the club before joining City in 1997. The rest, as they say, is history...
adds experience as he returns to the club 10 years after leaving for Manchester United. And any write-up on Aston Villa wouldn’t be complete without focusing on Jack Grealish. The attacking midfielder played a starring role for England at this summer’s Euros and he has continued to be linked with a move away from the club he has represented since the age of six. Reports have linked him with a move to Manchester City. Despite the transfer rumours he is not expected to feature at Ashton Gate this afternoon, allowing for further recovery time following his international commitments. Villa do have an extra week on City, with the Premier League season starting on August 14th when Smith’s men head to Vicarage Road for their curtain raiser against Watford. Before that they will complete their pre-season schedule against Sevilla next Saturday.
Dean Smith struggled to see his team find form in the second half of the season. After a losing ratio of 46% in the new year, his side slipped from three points off the top six to an 11th-placed finish, despite wins against Tottenham and Chelsea in their final two games. This summer has seen 13 players depart Villa Park including Ahmed Elmohamady, Tom Heaton and Neil Taylor. However, the highly rated midfielder Emiliano Buendia completed his move from Norwich City, while Ashley Young 4 Stick or twist? Villa's homegrown England star Jack Grealish
T H E R O B N S Aston Villa | 11
FROM THE ARCHIVES
3
Abraham 59, Bryan 61, Tomlin 81
Grealish 5
1
Ashton Gate | August 27th 2016 Sky Bet Championship | Attendance: 21,099 A spectacular second-half turnaround saw Bristol City defeat Aston Villa for the first time in 37 years at Ashton Gate. The hosts trailed as early as the fifth minute to Jack Grealish’s far-post volley, but struck twice in quick succession either side of the hour mark through Tammy Abraham and Joe Bryan to turn the game on its head. Lee Tomlin’s late free kick put the result beyond doubt.
T H E R O B N S Aston Villa | 13
PRE-SEASON ROUND-UP
The players reported to the Robins High Performance Centre for the start of pre-season which would be all about fitness, technique and tactics in preparation for the upcoming campaign. It’s been an intense, gruelling and demanding period but one which will stand the squad in good stead over the challenging months to come.
BACK TO WORK...
14 | T H E R O B N S Aston Villa
Chris Martin leads the team out. Below: Callum O'Dowda goes close; Max O'Leary in action. Right: Steve Lansdown and Marina Dolman cut the ribbon.
0 0 Wednesday July 14th Robins High Performance Centre The Scottish giants proved to be Nigel Pearson’s first chance to test his men against different opposition. The Hoops had plenty of the ball but City were defensively resilient and pushed their visitors all the way with fresh legs later in the game. City would hit the post twice on a night where owner Steve Lansdown and President Marina Dolman officially opened the state-of-the-art training complex.
T H E R O B N S Aston Villa | 15
PRE-SEASON ROUND-UP
TURNING UP THE
HEAT 16 | T H E R O B N S Aston Villa
The group spent five days at Loughborough University, where they were put through a series of gruelling training sessions, pool recovery and gym work. The focus was on fitness, tactics and team bonding as the temperatures hit 30oC making it an unexpected warm-weather training camp, which will help the players prepare for the challenges of the season ahead.
T H E R O B N S Aston Villa | 17
PRE-SEASON ROUND-UP
Weimann, Palmer, Martin
Ahadme (2), Francois
3 3
Tuesday July 20th Robins High Performance Centre Andreas Weimann, Kasey Palmer and Chris Martin all hit the target in an extended six-goal encounter. They came from two goals behind at the end of 45 minutes, before Weimann’s low drive and Palmer’s pick of the bunch drew the hosts level. Martin was awarded a penalty, of which he dispatched himself, to put City ahead by the end of 90 minutes but an extra half an hour was to be played as planned. City’s young forward Marlee Francois was allowed to play for Pompey in the extra 30 minutes with the visitors lacking in numbers, and in a turn of events he ended up being the player to poach the equaliser.
20 | T H E R O B N S Aston Villa
Chris Martin scores from the spot. Below: Ayman Benarous shields the ball; Marlee Francois in the blue of Portsmouth; new signing Matty James.
Janneh, Conway, Wells
Bird
3 1
Saturday July 24th Robins High Performance Centre
From top: Goalscorer Tommy Conway battles for possession; Saikou Janneh is congratulated on his goal by Nahki Wells; Wells adds City's second goal.
City fired their way to a 3-1 preseason victory over MK Dons at a wet Robins High Performance Centre. Saikou Janneh did just enough to put City ahead at the break, while second-half goals from Tommy Conway and Nahki Wells added daylight to the score. Jay Bird would grab a consolation for the visitors in the last minute of the match, but this was an encouraging display from the home team as they grabbed a first pre-season victory.
T H E R O B N S Aston Villa | 21
PRE-SEASON ROUND-UP
0 4
Wells (2), Bakinson, Nagy
Tuesday July 27th Cliff Hill Training Ground A superb strike from Ádám Nagy helped City to a 4-0 win over Exeter City. Nahki Wells and Tyreeq Bakinson showed calmness from 12 yards as their first-half penalties put City in control. City’s dominance came to the fore as the game progressed in the second half and Nagy fired home from the edge of the area. The Grecians would struggle to cope with the Robins’ energy levels who grabbed a deserved fourth through Wells, with Nigel Pearson’s players edging closer to full match fitness.
22 | T H E R O B N S Aston Villa
Above: Joe Williams in action, Max O’Leary kept a clean sheet in Devon; Taylor Moore in an aerial duel; Tyreeq Bakinson scores from the spot.
0 1
Weimann Tuesday July 27th Home Park
City fans returned to the stands to watch their team in action, enjoying a victory in the process thanks to Andreas Weimann’s second-half goal. He scored the only goal of the game in a match where all of the Robins' starting XI completed the 90 minutes. Chris Martin saw an earlier penalty saved, while Dan Bentley produced a number of saves to thwart the Pilgrims. From top: Jay Dasilva gets in a tussle; Andi Weimann slots home the only goal; away fans celebrate the winner; Rob Atkinson on the ball; young fans wave to the camera.
T H E R O B N S Aston Villa | 23
ACADEMY: UNDER-23S
ROBINS RETURN
C
ity Under-23s are preparing for the return of the Professional Development League South campaign. The young Robins went on to win their regional division last term but lost out when they were defeated 2-1 by Birmingham City in the Professional Development League semi-final. They are now in the midst of a five-game pre-season schedule, which began with a 3-0 win over Paulton Rovers. The young Robins were two goals to the good before halftime, with captain Joe Low
24 | T H E R O B N S Aston Villa
heading in the opener against the Southern League Division One South team at Winterfield Road. James Taylor's cross found Ayman Benarous who buried the ball low past former City keeper Aaron Sainsbury on this occasion. Paulton had their moments of dominance after the break but their troubles proved in vain as the Robins struck for a third time through Seb Palmer-Houlden. Next was a return to familiar ground when they faced Weston-super-Mare at the Optima Stadium. Marlee Francois and Prince Henry were on the scoresheet for the young Robins in a 3-2 defeat.
UNDER-23 PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE
Saturday, July 17th Paulton Rovers (A) W 3-0 Saturday, July 24th Weston-super-Mare (A) L 2-3 Friday, July 30th Hungerford Town (A, 7.45pm)* Tuesday, August 3rd Yate Town (A, 7.45pm) Tuesday, August 10th Taunton Town (A, 7.45pm) *Match played post-matchday programme deadline
TODAY’S SQUADS
OPENING WEEKEND
Saturday July 31st, 1pm kick-off | Ashton Gate | Pre-Season Friendly
ASTON VILLA
BRISTOL CITY MANAGER Nigel PEARSON
HOME KIT
AWAY KIT
MANAGER Dean SMITH
TBC
1
Dan BENTLEY
2
Matty CASH
2
Danny SIMPSON
4
Ezri KONSA
3
Jay DASILVA
5
Tyrone MINGS
4
Ádám NAGY
6
Douglas LUIZ
5
Rob ATKINSON
7
John McGINN
6
Matty JAMES
9
Wesley MORAES
8
Joe WILLIAMS
10
Jack GREALISH
9
Chris MARTIN
11
Ollie WATKINS
10
Andy KING
12
Jed STEER
11
Callum O’DOWDA
14
Conor HOURIHANE
13
Max O'LEARY
15
Bertrand TRAORÉ
14
Andreas WEIMANN
17
Mahmoud TRÉZÉGUET
15
Tyreeq BAKINSON
18
Matt TARGET
16
Cameron PRING
19
Marvelous NAKAMBA
17
Nathan BAKER
21
Anwar EL GHAZI
18
Antoine SEMENYO
24
Frédéric GUILBERT
21
Nahki WELLS
25
Morgan SANSON
22
Tomas KALAS
26
Emiliano MARTINEZ
23
Taylor MOORE
30
Kortney HAUSE
26
Zak VYNER
39
Keinan DAVIS
37
Tommy CONWAY
41
Jacob RAMSEY
42
Han-Noah MASSENGO
Emiliano BUENDIA
45
Kasey PALMER
Ashley YOUNG
MATCH OFFICIALS Match Referee
Assistant Referee
Assistant Referee
Fourth Official
Kevin FRIEND
Oliver MACKEY
Ruebyn RICARDO
Jacob LAHANE
Goalkeeper
Defender
Midfielder
Forward
Friday, July 6th Bournemouth v West Brom Saturday, July 7th Blackburn v Swansea CITY v BLACKPOOL Cardiff v Barnsley Derby v Huddersfield Luton v Peterboro Preston v Hull QPR v Millwall Stoke v Reading Sheff Utd v Birmingham Sunday, July 8th Fulham v Middlesbrough Coventry v N Forest
LEAGUE TABLE P GD Pts Barnsley 0 0 0 Birmingham 0 0 0 Blackburn 0 0 0 Blackpool 0 0 0 Bournemouth 0 0 0 CITY 0 0 0 Cardiff 0 0 0 Coventry 0 0 0 Derby 0 0 0 Fulham 0 0 0 Huddersfield 0 0 0 Hull 0 0 0 Luton 0 0 0 Middlesbro 0 0 0 Millwall 0 0 0 Forest 0 0 0 Peterboro 0 0 0 Preston 0 0 0 QPR 0 0 0 Reading 0 0 0 Sheff Utd 0 0 0 Stoke 0 0 0 Swansea 0 0 0 West Brom 0 0 0
NEXT UP
BLACKPOOL Ashton Gate Saturday, August 7th, 3pm Sky Bet Championship