Aston Villa suffered a 4-2 defeat against Real Sociedad despite goals from George Hemmings and Brian Madjo at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium.
Madjo scored his third goal of pre-season, while Pau Torres made his first appearance of the summer.
Unai Emery selected a mixture of senior players and academy prospects for Villa’s third friendly. João Gomes made his first start in midfield, with Hemmings, Emi Buendía and Bradley Burrowes supporting Madjo.
ReadAstonVilla’s match preview had outlined how several international players remained unavailable before the club’s tour of Asia.
Aston Villa 2-4 Real Sociedad
Villa started brightly and forced Álex Remiro into early saves through Ian Maatsen and Burrowes.
Hemmings opened the scoring after 14 minutes. Maatsen carried possession forward before finding the midfielder inside the penalty area, where he curled his finish in off the far post.
Sociedad responded eight minutes later. Marco Bizot saved Carlos Soler’s first effort, but the midfielder reacted quickest to convert the rebound.
Emery made four changes at half-time, including the introduction of Torres. The Spain international completed 45 minutes after missing Villa’s opening two friendlies through injury.
Orri Óskarsson gave Sociedad the lead shortly after the restart when he converted a deflected free-kick at the far post.
Madjo equalised three minutes later. The 17-year-old created space inside the area before finishing confidently for his third goal in two appearances.
Gorka Carrera restored Sociedad’s advantage after being released behind Villa’s defence. Iñaki Rupérez then completed the scoring from close range during the closing minutes.
Villa now travel to Asia before facing Indonesia All Stars in Jakarta on Saturday. Emery’s side will also meet BG Pathum United and Bayern Munich during the tour.
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