
Follow us on Twitter @claretandview // Words by Harry Trend (@HazaTrand)
Mile Jedinak was arguably our best international performer over the break. The midfielder scored two penalties and a free-kick against Honduras to seal Australia’s place in Russia next year.
Not to be outdone, Bikir Bjarnason and Ahmed Elmohamady will also be joining the Aussie at the World Cup for Iceland and Egypt respectively.
Bjarnason played 60 minutes in a friendly defeat to the Czech Republic before featuring again in a 1-1 draw to Qatar on Tuesday.
As for Elmohamady, the Egyptian played in a pretty meaningless 1-1 draw away to Ghana in the Pharaohs final World Cup qualifier.
Villa’s Welsh contingent were in action too, James Chester and Neil Taylor both played for the Dragons as they lost 2-0 in Paris to France and drew 1-1 at home to Panama.
Jonathan Kodjia travelled with the Ivory Coast squad despite not playing because of injury. The Elephants lost 2-0 to Morocco meaning they will not be making an appearance at the World Cup next year.
Finally, Connor Hourihane, Glenn Whelan and Scott Hogan were all unused substitutes in Republic of Ireland’s play-off legs against Denmark. Unfortunately, Villa’s Irish trio won’t be playing in Russia either as Martin O’Neil’s side went down 5-1 on aggregate to the Danes.
In terms of youth internationals, Callum O’Hare and Easah Suliman featured for England U20’s in a loss to Germany U20’s, while Mitchell Reece-Clark and Josh Williams played for Wales U19’s in defeats to Turkey and Kazakhstan.