RB Leipzig 2-0 Aston Villa

Aston Villa lost out to Champions League opposition in the form of RB Leipzig in New Jersey on Wednesday night.

John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey made their first appearances of pre-season to the delight of the claret-clad fans at Red Bull Arena on the second game of the club’s USA Tour.

After a positive opening from Unai Emery’s team, Andre Silva turned home the first goal of the night after 17 minutes.

Lois Openda doubled the Bundesliga side’s advantage just before half-time, with Diego Carlos shown a second yellow card in the aftermath of the goal.

Villa, who were unable to reduce the deficit in the second half, utilised 22 players on the night and will now move on to Chicago for a game against Club América on Saturday.

The big news ahead of kick-off was McGinn coming into the starting XI to make his first appearance of pre-season, with Amadou Onana also in the lineup from the off.

Villa were the dominant force in the opening exchanges but fell behind when Leipzig struck a sucker punch after 17 minutes.

Amadou Haidara won the ball back in a dangerous area and advanced before laying it across to Silva, who had a simple finish from six yards out.

Robin Olsen had to be withdrawn due to injury on the half-hour mark and his replacement Oliwier Zych was beaten before the interval as the German side bagged a second.

The ball was worked out to the left to El-Chadaille Bitshiabu whose deflected cross was tapped home at the second attempt by Openda.

A fracas in the aftermath of the goal saw Diego Carlos shown a second yellow card as Villa were reduced to ten.

Jaden Philogene, Ramsey, Ian Maatsen and Youri Tielemans were introduced at the break, but it was Leipzig who pushed forward early in the second half, with Eljif Elmas sliding a shot narrowly wide.

Goalmouth action was in short supply at both ends of the pitch as a number of substitutes were introduced, allowing players to pick up valuable game time.

None more so than Ramsey, who returned to action for the first time since March in a major boost for the squad.

Aston Villa: Olsen (Zych 30’), Cash (Nedeljkovic 61’), Carlos, Torres (Bogarde 68’), Digne (Maatsen 45’), Onana (Dendoncker 61’), Barkley (Tielemans 45’), McGinn (Barrenechea 61’), Iling Jr (Ramsey 45’ (Moreno 77’)), Rogers (Buendia 61’), Bailey (Philogene 45’).

Unused subs: Gauci, Feeney, Kesler Hayden, Dobbin, Archer.