Express & Star

Worcester City 1 Aston Villa 5 - match report

Aston Villa once again came from behind to record their second pre-season win of the day against Worcester City.

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The hosts took an early lead thanks to Matt Birley's free-kick but Villa levelled quickly through Jack Grealish, before going ahead when Libor Kozak headed home.

Rushian Hepburn-Murphy then increased the advantage just after half-time, before two late goals from fellow substitute Keinan Davies completed the rout.

Having watched one half of his squad battle back to beat AFC Telford earlier, Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo hot-footed it to Stourport and Walshes Meadow to watch a different XI take on National League North opposition.

For the second time in the space of a few hours, he saw them fall behind in the opening stages as Birley beat the wall and goalkeeper Mark Bunn with a superb 25-yard free-kick to put the hosts ahead.

Villa were quickly level, however, as Grealish showed good composure to find space in the box and send a low finish past the keeper.

The visitors, who had new signing Aaron Tshibola in their ranks, were well on top and went ahead when Kozak headed home a cross from Alan Hutton, the latter captaining the starting XI.

Former Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov was introduced as a half-time substitute, together with 17-year-old Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, who had hit the post during an encouraging late cameo in the earlier game.

This time he went one better, putting Villa three to the good six minutes into the second half with a composed finish following a superb run from just inside the opposition half.

Hepburn-Murphy then turned provider by teeing up Davies to make it 4-1 six minutes from time, before the latter got his name on the scoresheet for a second time, tapping home Joleon Lescott's low cross.

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