OM dominates Aston Villa: Aubameyang scores twice in friendly

This Saturday, our OM concluded its summer preparation at the Vélodrome against Aston Villa. A match that, on paper, had all the elements of a true crash-test before starting Ligue 1 in Rennes next week. So, what do we take away from this final rehearsal? De Zerbi's starting eleven was repeated, familiar faces on the pitch, and above all, a team beginning to assert its style of play. But is it enough to approach the championship with confidence? Let's talk about it!

A controlled start to the match, but not without flaws

From the kickoff, there was a clear intention: keep the ball and set our pace. Gouiri almost opened the score in the 2nd minute, just to wake everyone up. But it was mainly Mason Greenwood's first spark that left an impression. His goal in the 5th minute, after a set-up from Hojbjerg and a completely disorganized English defense, got the Vélodrome on its feet. Honestly, who would have believed in such efficiency so early?

Unfortunately, maintaining the lead didn't follow. McGinn took advantage of an offside not called (thanks to the absence of VAR...) to equalize immediately after. It's the typical kind of small mistake that can be costly in Ligue 1. What do you think? Should we worry about this lack of focus? Tell us if you share this feeling.

Emerging individual talents, a team to refine

Jonathan Rowe once again showed his full potential on his side. We saw breakthroughs, a real desire to break through, but also some questionable decisions in the final move. At the back, Medina avoided disaster after a lost ball by Angel Gomes. Defensively, there's improvement, but it's not yet the unbreakable block we hoped for.

In midfield, quick and short combinations destabilized Villa, but these transitions remain sometimes too hesitant. Egan Riley, for example, was enterprising but still lacks precision in finishing. In short, more work for De Zerbi, but do we prefer to see this or the apathetic OM from last year? We want your opinions!

Aubameyang, the big return that changes everything?

At the 60th minute, De Zerbi played his cards with Aubameyang's entry. That's when everything changed. The Gabon international didn't even need 20 minutes to electrify the Vélodrome with a quick double. His first goal from a Murillo setup, then his second after a brilliant play by Greenwood... He even brought out his famous backflip, just to remind everyone that he's not here to play games.

Sportingly, it's reassuring to see a real confident striker. Financially, we think that investing in Aubameyang could pay off big, especially if he continues these kinds of performances. But can we build our entire attack around him, considering his age and physical history? A risky bet or a stroke of genius? Debate in the comments!

Ready for Rennes? What still needs work

This 3-1 victory against Villa feels good, but doesn't hide everything. We saw improvement in construction, players in form (hello Greenwood and Aubam'), and wild atmosphere at the Vélodrome. But there are still adjustments to be made, especially defensively and in managing weaker moments.

The real question: is our OM ready to face Rennes and kick off the season on strong foundations? We want to know what you think, friends! Optimistic after this match, or cautious about the weaknesses identified? To your keyboards, the floor is yours!