By Dan Harrison at the Exacta Stadium

Villa's young guns suffered their second consecutive pre-season defeat despite taking the lead against Chester.

Michael Drennan continued his red-hot goalscoring form when he fired the visitors ahead just before the break.

But the Irishman's fifth goal in three matches wasn't enough as the non-league club hit back to stun Gordon Cowans' side.

Nathan Jarman and Antoni Sarcevic were on target after the break to earn a victory for Chester.

The Blue Square North outfit, who are riding on the crest of a wave following back-to-back promotions, made a strong start.

Villa had goalkeeper Calum Barrett to thank for a string of saves in the early stages of the contest.

With two minutes played, Barrett got down to his right to push behind Dave Hankin's drive from the edge of the box.

The Coventry-born custodian palmed away a Dom Collins header after Hankin's corner caused problems in the Villa penalty area.

Then Barrett did well to backtrack and tip Hankin's 35-yard free-kick on to the bar, after it curled freakishly towards goal with the aid of the strong wind.

Another save followed for the claret and blues keeper, this time to thwart Jarman who reacted quickest to meet a ball over the top from Collins.

But Villa came back into the game late in the first period.

Charlie Ward's curling effort was well held by Chester keeper John Danby, while Drennan was unlucky not to connect with Courtney Cameron's corner.

The quick thinking of Jack Grealish led to Villa taking the lead on the stroke of half-time.

The 16-year-old winger capitalised on a defensive mix-up before rounding the keeper and teeing up Drennan to fire into the top corner for his fifth goal of pre-season.

Villa looked to continue their momentum in the second-half and Ricardo Calder had an excellent opportunity to extend the advantage.

Drennan and Graham Burke combined to set up Calder but he dragged his left-foot shot wide across goal.

On 54 minutes, the home side hit back when Jarman converted a header from close range.

A free-kick from Hankin was neatly cushioned by skipper George Horan for Jarman to head past Barrett.

Then, on 71 minutes, Chester edged in front thanks to Atoni Sarcevic's stunning first-time drive from 25-yards which left Barrett with no chance.

CHESTER: Danby, Collins, McGin, Linwood, Horan, Hankin, Clancy, A Williams, Sarcevic, Proudlock, Jarman. Subs: M Williams [for Proudlock, 58], Powell [for A Williams, 58], Baynes [for Collins, 31], Fearon [for Danby, 58], Howard [Clancy, 58], Mackin [Linwood, 52].

VILLA: Barrett, Watkins-Clark, Cameron, Ward, Devine, Donacien, Philipe, Grealish, Drennan, Burke, Calder. Subs: Melvin [for Ward, HT], Hill [for Barrett, 80], Lewis [for Devine, 60], Stevenson [for Watkins-Clark, 78], Eminoglu [for Drennan, 62], Graham [for Burke, 71], Kinsella [for Philipe, 62].