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Unai Emery could be forced into Ollie Watkins decision as winger shows exciting promise BirminghamLive brings you the talking points from Aston Villa's defeat at Borussia Monchengladbach Aston Villa completed their pre-season preparations in Germany on Saturday, losing 2-1 to Borussia Monchengladbach. Unai Emery made eight changes to the team that started against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Cup, with only Marco Bizot, Victor Lindelof and George Hemmings keeping their places. Tim Kleindienst bagged two quick-fire goals in the first half to put Monchengladbach in a commanding lead, before John McGinn halved the deficit for Villa in the 69th minute. Jamal Jimoh-Aloba passed up a big chance to equalise late in the second period, failing to beat Moritz Nicolas inside the box. Watkins could be thrown in from the start Early in the second half, Tammy Abraham was brought off after suffering an injury when he slipped awkwardly. After receiving treatment on the pitch, the January signing walked off before being replaced by Brad Burrowes and limping down the tunnel. With Brian Madjo also injured – and sidelined until at least September – Ollie Watkins could be forced into starting the opening game of the season at Brighton. In truth, perhaps Emery was always planning on playing Watkins from the get-go, even without featuring in a pre-season game. Now, possibly without Abraham as well as Madjo, there’s very little other option than to start Watkins. Having been named in the England squad for the World Cup, Watkins will have kept himself ticking over by training under Thomas Tuchel despite not making an impact in the tournament. Watkins, Ezri Konsa and Emi Martinez were given four weeks off after their World Cup exploits, so are due to report back to Bodymoor Heath at the start of next week. Alysson showing his talent While it’s the likes of Madjo, Joao Gomes, Luka Lynch and George Hemmings who have received the most praise this pre-season, Alysson’s cameos have been something to be encouraged by as well. The Brazilian struggled to stay fit in the last campaign and also missed a small part of this pre-season due to a niggle. If he can stay fit before the summer window closes, then an opportunity to impress against Brighton and then Arsenal may follow. He was excellent off the bench against PSG and beat Nuno Mendes – arguably the best left-back in the world – with ease at one point. Creating a couple of big chances for teammates late on as Villa searched for an equaliser, Alysson has shown what he is capable of in the last couple of games. Although he had a limited impact against Gladbach, there were more promising moments when he’d receive the ball on the right and commit his marker straight away. He has a natural ability to glide past opponents, either drawing fouls or moving into space and taking players out of the game. Direct when he has the ball at his feet, Alysson has the potential to be an exciting winger, but there’s a long way for him to go and areas of his game that still need refining. Villa know that too, but are enthused by what he has shown this summer. He even drew applause from one of Villa’s analysts stationed in the press box when he won a foul after beating a couple of Gladbach players on the right on Saturday afternoon. Villa still have plenty to do Although the club’s on-pitch preparations for the new campaign ended this weekend, it still feels like there is a lot to sort out in the transfer market. Martinez’s uncertain future is one topic, while Arsenal could make a final push for Konsa, and Watkins’ future was called into question once again earlier this summer. But even before any more possible outgoings, Villa need more bodies through the door. Evann Guessand has left on loan and Leon Bailey has options elsewhere, which would free up space in the squad and the wage budget. Matteo Ruggeri is expected to be confirmed as Villa’s fourth signing of the summer, while another right-back is on the club’s radar, as is cover for the injured Amadou Onana. Given that Alysson is still developing, a right winger must also be a priority for Villa in the final weeks of the window, and their previous interest in Endrick proves it.