Dean Smith’s Aston Villa made it three wins from three this pre-season as the club prepares to embark on their first Premier League campaign since 2016. The Villans defeated League Two outfit Walsall in an emphatic 5-1 victory with a pair of braces from new signings Wesley Moraes and Jota as well as club captain Jack Grealish making it a fabulous five. It was the performance from Moraes that caused debate amongst the Villa Park support however.
The 22-year-old became Villa’s club-record signing this summer after joining from Club Brugge for £22m, so the striker was always going to be under intense scrutiny as he begins his career in the claret and blue. His performance against recently-relegated Walsall at the Bescot Stadium drew mostly positive reactions though a few had their doubts over his fiery temperament.
One supporter compared the 6 foot 3 striker to Christian Benteke, who enjoyed a very fruitful three-year spell in the West Midlands where he scored 49 goals in 101 appearances before earning a move to Liverpool. The fan said the way the striker held up the ball and moved around was very much like their former goalscorer and he hoped that he would be just as clinical.
Others picked up on the Brazilian’s lively behaviour with one member of the Villa faithful brandishing him sulky whilst another fan believed he may pick up a few red cards this season as he clearly has a nasty side. One supporter even claimed the forward needs to work on his temperament.
Moraes scored 17 times for Club Brugge in 48 appearances last season including goals in both European competitions, the Champions League and the Europa League. It is this level of pedigree which some supporters hope to see in the Premier League this coming season – one supporter went as far as saying that the Premier League isn’t ready for him.
You can read the thoughts from a number of Villa fans below:
Watching Wesley last night
Loves coming deep to collect the ball. Fast feet for a big felka and took his goals well but he seems a bit sulky. Prem defenders will play on that. Hope he's not gonna rack up a stack of silly bookings.
And we need a better chant for him#avfc #UTV
— Roy Mainer (@lamb_pants) July 25, 2019
We absolutely wiped the floor with Walsall last night. Some scintillating football.
Wesley and Jota clinical and oozing confidence and despite one lapse, we never looked like conceding. RHM an absolute menace when he came on.#avfc #partofthepride #utv
— The Villa Vision™️ (@TheVillaVision) July 25, 2019
Wesley is a beast prem ain’t ready for the Brazilian masterclass #avfc #utv
— Matt E (@mattavfc11) July 24, 2019
Wesley's on fire #AVFC
— Daniel Raza Journalist (@razajourno) July 24, 2019
#wesley reminds me so much of @chrisbenteke #benteke the way he holds up the ball and moves around, passes and finishes! Let’s hope he can be just as clinical when it matters ???????? #avfc #AstonVilla #UTV
— Danny #AVFC #fitbit ???????????????????????????????????? #parkrun (@Danny_Singham) July 24, 2019
Wesley is potentially Wow complete striker Quick strong good finisher good touch #AVFC
— Dr Tony Wright (@tonywright25) July 24, 2019
Wesley is going to be quality. Def needs to work on his temperament. ???? #avfc #utv
— B6 (@B6_Dave) July 24, 2019
Wesley looks like a baller but he’s gonna get a few reds, you can see he has a nasty side. #AVFC
— Ed (@EddieAVFC96) July 24, 2019