Indonesia All Stars 1-3 Aston Villa

Aston Villa opened up their pre-season tour of Asia with a 3-1 win over Indonesia All Stars, at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on Saturday.

Unai Emery’s men took a commanding 2-0 lead into the half-time break in Jakarta, thanks to Emi Buendía’s early effort and Ross Barkley’s strike on the stroke of half-time.

Ten changes at the interval kept things fresh for the Villans, who made it 3-0 thanks to Brian Madjo’s fourth goal of pre-season, before the hosts pulled a late consolation back through Arkhan Kaka in the closing stages.

The Villa boss named a strong side to commence proceedings in Indonesia. Those in attendance would witness Alejandro Garnacho’s first minutes in claret and blue since arriving on loan from Chelsea.

Alongside him, Victor Lindelöf, Evann Guessand and captain John McGinn came into the side to make their first appearances of pre-season, having each enjoyed an extended summer break following their participation in the FIFA World Cup.

And the Villans did not need much time to assert their authority and take the lead. Just moments after Guessand had been denied goalkeeper Kartika Ajie from close range, Buendía struck to put Emery’s men ahead.

Neat build-up sae Kosta Nedeljković play a give-and-go, receiving the ball in a crossing position and pulling back for the Argentine, who swept calmly into the far corner for 1-0.

The visitors were on top in the early stages, and continued to push for more. As the midway stage of the half approached, debutant Garnacho saw his shot blocked, before minutes later, McGinn swung a corner onto the head of Pau Torres, who headed narrowly wide.

Villa were, however, given a scare on the half-hour mark, as the Indonesian outfit came within inches of drawing level.

Full-back Oliver Leeming found the run of Hokky Caraka in behind, and the forward steered his effort from a tight angle past James Wright, only to see it bounce off the far post and away to safety.

The Villans regained their rhythm as the half drew to its conclusion, doubling their advantage on the stroke of the interval. Barkley did well to work room for a strike on the edge of the area, lashing into the bottom corner on his left foot to send his side in at the break two goals to the good.

Emery shuffled his pack at half-time introducing 10 fresh faces from the bench, with goalkeeper James Wright the only player to stay on and complete the 90 minutes.

And, with the hosts fielding an entirely new XI too, the game had a slightly different feel to it. But that didn’t stop Villa from controlling the affair, and within 11 minutes of the restart, they had a third.

Luka Lynch did well to jink into space on the edge of the area and feed Madjo, whose assured finish put his side further in front, making it four goals in as many pre-season outings for the young striker.

Less than two minutes later, Villa thought they had a fourth. Matty Cash crossed for Madjo who saw his effort deflect onto the crossbar. Alysson was on hand to turn home the rebound, though the assistant’s flag was up for offside.

The Villans kept coming, and should have extended their advantage 20 minutes from time. They kept the ball alive, as Ian Maatsen hooked a cross over for an unmarked Tyrone Mings at the far post, though the defender could only loop his free header onto the roof of the net.

Emery’s team would be made to pay for the missed opportunity, as their defence was breached 13 minutes later, and the Indonesia All Stars clinched a consolation.

The home side broke forward and Wright had to get down well to initially deny Reno Salampessy’s effort, though could do nothing to prevent Kaka from following in and burying the rebound, to ensure it ended 3-1.

The Villans now continue their pre-season tour of Asia in Bangkok this week, taking on BG Pathum United on Tuesday (August 4), at Pathum Thani (ko 1.30pm BST).

Villa: Wright; Nedeljković (Cash 46’), Kéba Cissé (Carroll 46’), Pau Torres (Mings 46’), Rowe (Maatsen 46’); Lindelöf (Bogarde 46’), Barkley (João Gomes 46’); McGinn (c) (Alysson 46’ (Burrowes 77’)), Buendía (Hemmings 46’), Garnacho (Lynch 46’); Guessand (Madjo 46’).

Subs not used: Bizot, Asemota.

Goals: Buendía (3’), Barkley (45’), Madjo (56’).

All Stars first half: Ajie; Leeming, Scheunemann, Kipuw, Yamadera; Wehrrmann, Valente, Stroyer; Caraka, Walian (c), Gholy.

Subs: Razzaqu; Azka, Correia Silva, Idris, Usemahu, Dwi (booked 68’), Uopmabin, Puhiri, Rumakiek, Salampessy, Khanafi, Kaka.

Goals: Kaka (83’).