Match Report: Bristol Rovers 1-1 Aston Villa
A vastly experienced Villa side could only draw 1-1 with Sky Bet League One side Bristol Rovers, after the hosts equalized in the second half.
Roberto Di Matteo named a strong side for the trip to Bristol, with Jordan Ayew, Ashley Westwood, Jack Grealish and Jores Okore amongst the starting line-up, whilst Rudy Gestede and Tommy Elphick had to settle for the substitutes bench.
Villa started the much better side, with Andre Green and Jack Grealish causing problem’s for the hosts defence but Villa were unable to find a breakthrough.
Eventually, Villa managed to open the scoring, with in-demand striker Jordan Ayew slotting past Mildenhall to put Villa ahead.
At the 60 minute mark, Di Matteo made a raft of changes as he continues to experiment with his ideal starting XI, with the likes of Mark Bunn, Joleon Lescott and Rudy Gestede given half an hour to impress the Italian.
With the game about to enter the last 10 minutes, Bristol Rovers forward Matt Taylor equalized for the hosts, firing past Mark Bunn.
However, there was still time for the usual suspects to miss easy chances, with Scott Sinclair and Rudy Gestede guilty of missing easy opportunities to put Villa back in the lead.
Villa’s next friendly sees them travel to France, to take on AS Nancy on Saturday.