Aston Villa snatched a dramatic draw against Manchester United in the final game of the club’s Australian tour after a sterling second half showing in Perth.
The Villans faced a two-goal deficit at the end of the first 45 minutes at Optus Stadium following goals from Jadon Sancho and an own-goal by the unfortunate Matty Cash.
Leon Bailey invigorated his side after entering the fray at half-time, scoring a stunning solo goal that started with him picking the ball up 45 yards from goal.
The Jamaican then turned provider in stoppage time when his corner was headed home by Calum Chambers.
Steven Gerrard named new signings Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos in his starting XI, and the head coach watched on as the defensive-minded duo were pressed into action along with the rest of the backline in the early stages.
When a Luke Shaw corner fell invitingly onto the head of Harry Maguire, Emiliano Martínez produced a superb reflex save to palm the ball to safety.
Cash fired a low drive narrowly wide of David de Gea’s far post before Martínez came to the rescue again, getting down smartly to deny Sancho.
The game settled into a rhythm as Villa got to grips with their opponents, but when after 25 minutes, United’s attacking talents burst into life.
A well-worked move saw Marcus Rashford feed Shaw on the left-hand byline, with the full-back’s cross volleyed home at the back post by Sancho.
The Red Devils winger was instrumental in his side doubling their lead after 42 minutes, racing onto a through ball from Fred and providing the cross that Rashford sent into the net via the unfortunate Cash.
Gerrard made five changes at the break, including the introduction of Bailey, and the alterations paid dividends within five minutes of the restart.
The winger picked the ball up just inside United’s half and proceeded to drive at their backline before arriving at the edge of the box and passing a shot coolly into the far corner.
Bailey’s influence ignited Villa, and he came close to doubling his tally when a vicious shot was deflected just over the crossbar by Anthony Martial.
The speed merchant, who was proving impossible for United to handle, threatened again when he rounded de Gea, with only a last-ditch slide from Harry Maguire keeping his effort out.
Bailey’s impact on the game was complete in injury time when he swung over a cross that was headed home by Chambers.
Aston Villa: Martinez (Olsen), Cash (Kesler Hayden), Carlos (Chambers), Mings (Konsa), Digne (Young), J.Ramsey (Luiz), Kamara (Iroegbunam), McGinn (Sanson), Coutinho (Buendia), Watkins (Archer), Ings (Bailey).
Unused subs: A.Ramsey, Marschall, Feeney.
