Aston Villa made it two wins from two pre-season games as they defeated Liga F side Real Betis 1-0 at the Marbella Football Center on Friday evening.
Adriana Leon ensured it was a successful return to life as a Villan as she netted the game’s only goal on the 78th minute.
Robert de Pauw named a fresh starting 11 as Rachel Corsie, Sarah Mayling and Chasity Grant were all amongst the line-up.
Villa took charge of the game from the starting whistle as they settled into a nice tempo underneath the warm Spanish sun.
The ball was rolled through the Real Betis backline on the 22nd minute and into Ebony Salmon’s path. The forward looked up and carried the ball towards the box, but she was stopped in her tracks by a recovering defender.
Paula Tomas whipped a cross turned shot through a sea of green and white bodies 11 minutes later, but the goalkeeper read it will and got across to collect.
Missy Bo Kearns was quick to react to slow defending from Real Betis on the 42nd minute as she slipped a quick corner kick into Salmon who turned and found Corsie inside the box with a cross, but her header was deflected wide.
Grant had the ball in the back of the net for Villa on the stroke of half-time, but the offside flag was raised.
De Pauw made eight changes at the break as the likes of Anna Patten, Miri Taylor and Rachel Daly were introduced to the action.
New signing Sabrina D’Angelo also came on for her first appearance as a Villan between the sticks.
Maz Pacheco linked up with Daly on the 68th minute as she flicked a quick pass into the striker’s feet. Daly took a touch before striking towards goal, but her effort sailed over the target.
Adriana Leon came on for Lucy Staniforth on the 71st minute and it didn’t take her long to get back amongst the goals.
Kirsty Hanson whipped a strong cross into the six-yard box on the 78th minute for Daly to get down and nod goalwards but her effort was stopped on the goal line however the rebound fell kindly for Leon to neatly fire home.
Hanson was involved again three minutes later as Katie Robinson picked her out on the edge of the box with a terrific cross, but the forward was unable to keep her first-time shot down and on target.
This evening’s victory rounds-off a successful week for the side out in Spain and they travel next to Charlton Athletic on Sunday 1st September for their third pre-season test.
Aston Villa (first half): Leat, Mayling, Corsie, Parker, Tomas, Staniforth, Kearns, Grant, Nobbs, Hanson, Salmon
Aston Villa (second half): D’Angelo, Maritz, Patten, Turner, Pacheco, Staniforth (Leon 71), Taylor, Robinson, Nobbs, Hanson, Daly
