A strange atmosphere enveloped the half-filled Red Bull Arena as Aston Villa faced a 2-0 defeat against RB Leipzig.
The Bundesliga team seized the lead in the 17th minute courtesy of a close-range effort from Portuguese forward Andre Silva, resulting in an injury to goalkeeper Robin Olsen.
Loïs Openda added a second goal for Die Roten Bullen, triggering a crazy moment as Villa’s center back Diego Carlos received a red card.
This defeat marks the Villains’ second consecutive loss, following their embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Columbus Crew just days prior.
Here, DailyMail.com highlights five insights from Aston Villa’s defeat to RB Leipzig in New Jersey.
Aston Villa struggled against RB Leipzig as they found themselves trailing for much of the match
Worries for Robin Olsen Following Injury
Robin Olsen, the Swedish keeper, was put under pressure early when he conceded the opening goal, although it wasn’t entirely his fault.
Ross Barkley was dispossessed by Amadou Haidara right at the edge of his own box, leading to Haidara setting up Andre Silva to score.
Unfortunately, Haidara collided with Olsen during the play, leaving the keeper on the ground for several minutes before he resumed the match.
Regrettably, he only lasted around eleven more minutes before he had to sit down, prompting the trainers to assist him off the field, with Oliwier Zych replacing him.
Robin Olsen exited the match early due to an injury sustained during the first half
Tempers Flared as Diego Carlos Lacked Composure
Leipzig continued to search for a second goal, which they found in the 41st minute via Loïs Openda.
After a low cross from El-Chadaille Bitshiabu, Openda’s initial shot was saved by Zych, but he scored from the rebound.
Following the goal, Openda exchanged words with center back Diego Carlos, who reacted by slapping the Frenchman in the chest, causing him to fall down.
A scuffle broke out, resulting in Carlos receiving a red card for poor judgment, leaving Villa to play a man down for the remainder of the match.
Diego Carlos (3) received a red card after striking Loïs Openda (11) following a goal
Amadou Onana’s Physical Play Will Haunt Aston Villa’s Rivals
With big expectations following Douglas Luiz’s exit, Amadou Onana filled in the holding midfield spot on Wednesday night, showcasing the value of his reported $64.6 million transfer fee.
Doubts about his passing abilities were quickly dispelled as he delivered precise and well-placed passes, demonstrating excellent vision.
Moreover, his height and strength routinely thwarted the attacking efforts from the German side.
When transitioned to center back in place of the suspended Carlos, Onana fit in seamlessly, winning physical confrontations against Leipzig’s attackers to deny them chances.
Amadou Onana may prove to be Aston Villa’s best signing of the summer, displaying strength and composure
Leipzig Poised for a Strong Champions League Campaign
In the previous season, Die Roten Bullen finished second in a group that included Manchester City, but were eliminated early by Real Madrid in the Round of 16.
However, the current squad appears ready to make a strong run for the knockout stages again, barring a challenging draw.
Openda is expected to be a key player in attack, along with striker Benjamin Sesko, supported by a dynamic midfield that could again feature Xavi Simons.
Fixture congestion seemed to hinder the team as they fell to fourth in the Bundesliga and were eliminated in the second round of the DFB-Pokal.
Yet, the depth of the squad seems well-prepared for the challenges ahead, beginning with a match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in Miami on Saturday.
RB Leipzig appears ready for a successful 2024-25 season across three competitions
A Strange Atmosphere Leads to a Quiet Start for Leipzig’s First International Tour
The pitch for this match showed significant wear, having been used the night before for a Leagues Cup match between New York Red Bulls and Mexican club Pachuca.
With the matches so closely spaced, attendance was lower than expected, which isn’t entirely surprising for this venue. However, given that both teams are set to compete in the Champions League, it was a bit disappointing.
Last year, a robust crowd attended a match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United, but this time was different. Perhaps interest was piqued by the Arsenal-Manchester United match happening in nearby Philadelphia.
Ultimately, the reception was not as enthusiastic as previous encounters featuring European teams. Adding insult to injury, the stadium remained largely silent throughout most of the game, barring a few exciting moments.
This may reflect Aston Villa’s position as the 12th most popular Premier League team in the United States, according to Statista, or it could be attributed to RB Leipzig’s first international tour and the need to build their brand awareness.
Nevertheless, the somewhat lethargic crowd struggled to generate enthusiasm, with around 50 fans who traveled from East Germany trying to contribute but unable to maintain the momentum on a mostly still night in New Jersey.
