Unai Emery’s side suffered their first pre-season defeat as two first half goals from Porto saw them take the victory.
Academy midfielder Luka Lynch produced an impressive equaliser, but goals from William Gomes and Pepê secured victory for the Portuguese champions.
Emery selected a mixture of senior players and academy prospects against a Porto side approaching the end of their preparations.
Marco Bizot started in goal behind Matty Cash, Tyrone Mings, Ian Maatsen and Lamare Bogarde. Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey also featured alongside youngsters including Modou Cissé, Brad Burrowes, George Hemmings and Lynch.
Porto made a fast start and opened the scoring after four minutes. William Gomes found space inside the Villa penalty area before beating Bizot with a composed finish.
The hosts almost doubled their lead moments later when Pepê crossed towards Victor Froholdt, but the midfielder failed to direct his header on target.
Lynch ushers fast Villa response
Villa responded impressively and were level after 12 minutes.
Bailey won possession from Zaidu before Jakub Kiwior’s attempted clearance dropped into a dangerous position. Lynch reacted first and drove a powerful finish across Cláudio Ramos to score for the second consecutive friendly.
The goal followed Lynch’s contribution during the 5-0 victory over Walsall, where he scored before creating Aidan Borland’s late effort.
Porto continued to press Villa’s attempts to build from defence and regained the lead four minutes before half-time. Pepê collected a loose ball following a set piece and saw his shot deflect beyond Bizot.
Bailey had already been forced off with an apparent physical problem after 23 minutes, with Ben Broggio replacing him.
The Record live report noted that Villa enjoyed periods of possession, although Porto carried the greater vertical threat and repeatedly recovered the ball in advanced areas.
Emery introduced Kosta Nedeljković, João Gomes and James Wright at half-time. Aidan Borland and Rodrigo Fortes were among the academy players given minutes later in the contest.
Neither side added to the score after the interval, with Villa preventing a near-full-strength Porto team from extending its advantage.
The defeat represented a significant step up from the opening friendly against Walsall. Porto were playing their final warm-up match before the Portuguese Super Cup and operated at a higher intensity than Villa for long periods.
Emery will still take encouragement from Lynch’s performance and the experience gained by his younger players. Villa continue their pre-season schedule against Real Sociedad on Tuesday.
Aston Villa starting line-up
Bizot; Cash, Mings, Maatsen, Bogarde; Barkley, Bailey, Cissé, Burrowes; Hemmings, Lynch.
Goals
- Porto 1-0 Aston Villa: William Gomes, 4 minutes
- Porto 1-1 Aston Villa: Luka Lynch, 12 minutes
- Porto 2-1 Aston Villa: Pepê, 41 minutes
