Aston Villa 3 Malaga 2 - match report

The Belgian's brace and Ron Vlaar's header gave the hosts a commanding 3-0 lead before the break.

But Jores Okore's own goal on his home bow and Sergi Darder's deflected strike hauled the Spanish side back into the game.

The visitors finished strongly but Villa hung on ahead of their Premier League opener at Arsenal next Saturday.

Okore was paired with Vlaar for the first time in defence while Aleksandar Tonev started as Marc Albrighton, Jordon Bowery and Joe Bennett returned to the squad.

Malaga had the first chance when Bartolomiej Pawlowski fired a rasping volley over when Villa switched off on the left.

Former Manchester City Roque Santa Cruz then missed his kick with only Brad Guzan to beat on 12 minutes.

And 60 seconds later Benteke did score when he bulldozed his way into the area and rode two challenges to round Willy Caballero.

Weligton was forced off injured after his attempt to stop Benteke and Villa exuded confidence as they dominated.

And they doubled their lead on 21 minutes when Vlaar crashed in a far post header from Tonev's corner.

Villa were in total control with Malaga out of first-half ideas and they fell further behind on 32 minutes.

The impressive Tonev fed Benteke and the striker was chopped down by Marco Angeleri in the area and the Belgian coolly converted a third from the spot.

Villa threatened to run riot as Tonev and Benteke linked well with Malaga, who start the La Liga season with back-to-back games against Valencia and Barcelona, struggling.

But they pulled a goal back four minutes before the break when Pawlowski left Antonio Luna trailing and crossed for Okore to helplessly prod past Guzan.

It inspired Malaga and they began the re-start brightly and Guzan saved from Pawlowski when he escaped the Villa defence.

The winger then clipped the post before Malaga pulled another goal back when Darder's 18-yard effort deflected and looped past Guzan just after the hour.

It rocked Villa and the visitors probed for an equaliser with Pawlowski the main threat and Luna had to recover when the winger burst clear again with 20 minutes left.

Villa failed to build any momentum but, despite late Malaga pressure, held on for the win.