Valencia 1-2 Aston Villa

Aston Villa rounded off preparations for the start of the Premier League with a win against Valencia at the Mestalla on Saturday night.

A goal in each half did the damage for Unai Emery’s Villans, with Ollie Watkins bagging his fourth goal of pre-season to open the scoring after 22 minutes.

Substitutes Emi Buendia and Philippe Coutinho combined for the second on 66 minutes when the former guided a first-time shot into the bottom corner.

A strong defensive display kept the hosts quiet for most of the match before Calum Chambers glanced a header into his own net after 88 minutes.

But Villa held on to ensure they came through six pre-season games unbeaten heading into next weekend's top flight opener against Newcastle United. 

Following hot on the heels of an impressive win against Lazio on Thursday, Villa headed to Spain’s east coast to round off their pre-season schedule.  

Watkins, who bagged a goal against the Italians, was on target once again as his side found their feet offensively after 22 minutes and scored with their first effort on goal.

Fierce pressing forced a loose pass that fell to the striker’s feet, and he took a touch before drilling a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

The home side, who finished 16^th in La Liga last term, upped the ante as the game drifted towards half-time, but some fine last-ditch defending ensured Emiliano Martinez remained untroubled.

Leon Bailey and Pau Torres were replaced for the second half, with Buendia and Lucas Digne taking their places.

Valencia had rarely threatened during the first half but came close at the start of the second when Fran Perez’s dipping shot landed on the roof of the net.

A triple change after 64 minutes included the introduction of Coutinho, and the Brazilian’s impact was instantaneous as he won the ball back and played it into Buendia’s path.

The Argentine didn’t have to break stride as he entered the box, steering the ball past Giorgi Mamardashvili to double the lead.

Cameron Archer threatened to add a third at the end of a jinking run but saw his shot deflected into the side netting.

Having failed to seriously test Martinez all night, the hosts had a goal to celebrate when Chambers headed a corner past the goalkeeper with two minutes left to play.

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash (Chambers 78’), Konsa, Mings, Pau Torres (Digne 45’), Kamara (Tielemans 64’), Luiz, Bailey (Buendia 45’), Diaby (Coutinho 64’), McGinn (Philogene 64’), Watkins (Archer 78’).

Unused subs: Olsen, Zych, Revan, Kellyman.