Orri Óskarsson hat-trick vs Aston Villa strengthens starting striker claim

Published Jul 29, 09:19 AM UTC

Editorial responsibility

Prepared by: WorldAttention Editorial Systems
Human review: No named human review is recorded for this page.
Automated steps: Source reporting is collected, normalized, translated or condensed automatically when needed.
Page status: Automatically published source-backed update

How automation and AI are used · Report a correction or rights issue

Orri Óskarsson scored a hat-trick for Real Sociedad in a friendly match against Aston Villa on July 29, 2026, marking his third consecutive friendly with a goal. The Icelandic striker started as the number 9 and, despite limited overall impact in games, has proven highly accurate with his chances. He scored after the break from a rebound off a free kick by Barrenetxea. Óskarsson's form puts pressure on coach Matarazzo to decide between him and returning World Cup champion Oyarzabal for the starting striker role. The article notes Óskarsson's minimal defensive and attacking involvement beyond goals, leaving the coach with a selection dilemma.

Source report

Updated: 29/07/2026 - 11:14 CEST By: Óscar Badallo

Orri Óskarsson prepares to celebrate the goal he just scored against Aston Villa. — Real Sociedad

Orri Óskarsson continued his hot streak in front of goal during the friendly against Aston Villa, scoring for the third consecutive match just as he was about to be substituted. The Icelander still does not make a major impact in games overall, though he appeared more involved against Unai Emery's side. However, he is proving extremely accurate with the few chances he gets — a crucial quality for a striker.

Óskarsson, as in the friendlies against Racing de Santander and Wolverhampton — the other two open-door preseason matches for Real — was the starting striker. He once again earned the right to remain in that role because, aside from his overall performance, he scored a goal, which is precisely what is asked of players tasked with finding the net.

The txuriurdin number 9 could not score on his first two chances: a counterattack where a wonderful pass from Barrenetxea left him one-on-one with a defender, whom he failed to beat in his attempt to cut inside, and a shot that hit the side netting, very close to the post. Then, after the break, when he was close to being substituted, he was very alert to the rebound from a free kick taken by Barrenetxea and scored, bringing out his biggest smile.

Matarazzo Will Have to Decide When Oyarzabal Returns

Óskarsson was surely aware that he is in a great scoring moment, having found the net in all three friendlies played — against Racing de Santander, Wolverhampton, and Aston Villa — continuing that great streak from last season, when he scored in four of the last five matches.

The Reykjavik native continues to put Matarazzo in a tight spot when Oyarzabal returns to full availability. The coach will have to choose between the two or change the position of the starting striker from the World champion team, as he already did before that tournament. The problem is that, aside from the goals, Óskarsson participates very little in defense and attack — but that is an issue for the coach to resolve.

Content shown outside its original language is machine translated; summaries may also be condensed.

Source

LALIGA EA Sports // marcaWestern

Original headline: Óskarsson, hat trick de amistosos marcando

Original language: ES

Part of this Story

Orri Óskarsson Extends Goal Streak in Real Sociedad Preseason Friendlies

See the full Story: all sources and camp coverage

People and interests

Aston Villa Iceland Spain La Liga