Aston Villa opened the Asian leg of their pre-season preparations with a comfortable 3-1 victory in the Aston Villa vs Indonesia All Stars friendly in Jakarta.
Emi Buendia, Ross Barkley and Brian Madjo scored for Unai Emery’s side, while Alejandro Garnacho made his first appearance for the club.
Villa needed only three minutes to take the lead at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. Kosta Nedeljkovic found Buendia inside the penalty area and the Argentine swept his finish beyond Kartika Ajie.
Emery’s side controlled possession and continued to create opportunities, with Evann Guessand denied from close range before Garnacho saw an effort blocked. Pau Torres also threatened twice from John McGinn corners.
Indonesia All Stars offered little attacking threat during the opening period, although Hokky Caraka struck the post after racing clear on the half-hour mark.
Villa doubled their advantage shortly before half-time. Barkley collected possession on the edge of the area and drilled a left-footed finish beyond the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
Aston Villa vs Indonesia All Stars ends in comfortable victory
Emery made ten changes at half-time, with goalkeeper James Wright the only player to remain on the pitch. However, the changes did little to disrupt Villa’s control of the contest.
Brian Madjo added the third goal after 55 minutes. Luka Lynch received the ball from Alysson before finding the striker inside the box, and Madjo finished confidently with his left foot.
The goal continued an encouraging pre-season for the young forward, who has regularly impressed when given opportunities by Emery.
Indonesia All Stars pulled one back in the 82nd minute after Wright saved the initial effort but could not prevent the rebound from being converted.
There was no late comeback, though, and Villa comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to secure a 3-1 victory.
The result continues Villa’s preparations after previous friendlies against Walsall, Porto and Real Sociedad. ReadAstonVilla’s pre-season guide also outlines the remaining fixtures, with BG Pathum United and Bayern Munich next on Emery’s schedule.
Villa now travel to Bangkok ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against BG Pathum United before facing Bayern in Hong Kong on Friday.
Goals
Indonesia All Stars: 82′
Aston Villa: Buendia 3′, Barkley 44′, Madjo 55′
