Aston Villa put three past Minnesota United in pre-season win
Aston Villa got their pre-season campaign off with a bang, beating Minnesota United 3-0 at Allianz Field.
Following a week of hard work in the US, Villa cruised past their MLS hosts in style - whilst also providing opportunities for two separate XIs to log some valuable minutes ahead of the Premier League season.
Perhaps most importantly, Dean Smith's side also got through the 90 minutes with no injuries to worry about.
Jack Grealish netted the opener with a sweet curling strike in the first half, before goals from Henri Lansbury and Birkir Bjarnason late-on ensured Villa finished the game worthy winners.
A number of new faces were on show in claret and blue, with recent signings Matt Targett, Ezri Konsa, Wesley Moraes, Frederic Guilbert and Jota all playing a part.
Last season's loanee trio of Tyrone Mings, Kortney Hause and Anwar El Ghazi also featured having made their respective moves to Villa permanent over the summer.
Bjorn Engels, the latest of Dean Smith's new signings, did not feature - while Jack Clarke and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy will also have to wait for their first outings in pre-season.
Fans at home will next get a chance to watch Villa prepare for the top flight on Sunday, when they travel to Shrewsbury Town, before a clashes with Walsall and Charlton take precedent.
