Aston Villa produced an impressive second-half comeback to beat Sevilla 3-1 and lift the Antonio Puerta Trophy at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on Friday night.
All four goals came after half-time, with Sevilla taking the lead through Isaac Romero before Unai Emery’s side turned the game around.
Ross Barkley equalised in the 71st minute before Alejandro Garnacho put Villa ahead after finishing off a low cross from Alysson.
Academy youngster Max Jenner then added a third with seven minutes remaining, completing a strong night for Villa in Spain.
The result gives Emery’s side a positive final preparation match before competitive action resumes at Villa Park against Brentford next weekend.
Sevilla take the lead after the break
Villa travelled to Seville for the 15th staging of the Antonio Puerta Trophy, with Emery receiving a special presentation before kick-off on his return to the club where he won three consecutive UEFA Europa League titles.
The first half produced opportunities at both ends.
Emi Buendía continued his promising form by working down the right before cutting inside and curling an effort onto the top of the net.
At the other end, Marco Bizot was called into action twice, while Tammy Abraham was denied on his 28th birthday when Sevilla goalkeeper Fran González kept out his effort with his feet.
Sevilla, who sit fifth in La Liga, also went close when Chidera Ejuke’s effort narrowly missed the far post.
Alfon tested Bizot before Buendía sent another low effort narrowly wide as both sides created chances before the interval.
Barkley gets Villa back into the game
Emery made five changes at half-time, giving Pau Torres and Brian Madjo valuable minutes after injury.
However, Villa fell behind shortly after the restart.
Peque Fernández saw his shot blocked by Taylor Harwood-Bellis, but the rebound fell to Isaac Romero, who reacted quickly to sweep the ball beyond Bizot.
Villa responded with George Hemmings and Garnacho both testing González with efforts as Emery’s side looked for an equaliser.
The pressure eventually paid off.
After intercepting a pass, Ross Barkley raced through on goal and finished emphatically to make it 1-1 in the 71st minute.
Garnacho puts Villa in front
The equaliser shifted the momentum firmly towards Villa.
Garnacho had already been involved in the visitors’ attempts to get back into the match and completed his strong performance by putting Villa ahead.
Alysson delivered a low ball across the face of goal and Garnacho was on hand to tap home and make it 2-1.
Villa had turned the game around after falling behind early in the second half.
Max Jenner seals the victory
There was still time for another Villa goal.
With seven minutes remaining, academy product Max Jenner received the ball and used a clever feint to get past a defender before entering the penalty area.
The youngster kept his composure to slot the ball home and complete a 3-1 victory.
It capped an excellent second half for Villa and provided Emery with an ideal preparation match ahead of the return to Premier League action.
Villa will now turn their attention towards next weekend’s meeting with Brentford at Villa Park.
Aston Villa team
Aston Villa: Bizot, Bogarde, Harwood-Bellis, Mings (Torres 46′), Fortes (Bloomfield 46′), Kamara (Wan-Bissaka 46′), Gomes (Jenner 76′), Hemmings (Alysson 66′), Garnacho, Buendía (Barkley 46′), Abraham (Madjo 46′).
Unused substitutes: Wright, Asemota, Carroll, Burgess, Mulley.
The Aston Villa News BR verdict
Villa’s 3-1 victory over Sevilla provided a strong finish to their preparations before the return of competitive football.
The most notable aspect was the response after Sevilla took the lead. Barkley’s equaliser was followed by Garnacho’s goal from Alysson’s delivery, before Jenner’s late finish completed the comeback.
The opportunity to give Pau Torres and Brian Madjo minutes after injury was another important part of the evening, while the contribution from academy youngster Jenner added another positive moment to the victory.
Villa can now look ahead to their return to Villa Park and the Premier League meeting with Brentford.
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