John Townley's Aston Villa player ratings after 3-0 win over Spartak Trnava in pre-season
Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Unai Emery's side win by three goals against Slovakian side Spartak Trnava
Our dedicated Aston Villa reporter is always on the pulse of all things claret and blue, from major talking points to transfer news to match action, John Townley will bring you the very latest from Bodymoor Heath and Villa Park.
Aston Villa beat Spartak Trnava 3-0 at the Anton Malatinsky Stadium in Slovakia to seal back-to-back wins at the start of their pre-season programme.
As an uneventful first half drew to a close, Leon Bailey scored the opener by bending the ball into the far corner. He picked the ball up on the edge of the box before checking inside and applying a sublime finish to break the deadlock.
Neither side made a meaningful opportunity before Bailey's opener, but Spartak's Philip Azango was causing problems. Diego Carlos was booked after pulling the forward back as he looked to turn away on goal and the Brazilian might've seen red for that offence in a competitive match.
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Minutes later, Azango was stopped by Carlos inside the box as the Villa defender showed his quality, halting the Nigerian's progress inside the box. Spartak had a number of corners and swung in plenty of crosses into the box in the first half, but Joe Gauci commanded his area well.
Emery chose to make 11 changes at the break, just like he did in the midweek win over Walsall at the Bescot Stadium. Among them was Morgan Rogers, who scored his third goal in two pre-season games and doubled Villa's lead in Slovakia.
He tapped in after following up a save made by goalkeeper Frelih from Kadan Young's effort in the box. It all came from Ross Barkley's pass from deep, which opened up the Spartak defence.
Cameron Archer only got one chance in the game and took it after being played in by Morgan Rogers. The forward slammed the ball in at the near post with the aid of a small deflection.
After returning to Birmingham, Emery's squad will then gear up for their trip to the USA where they will play Columbus Crew, RB Leipzig and Club America.
First half player ratings
Joe Gauci
Gauci commanded his box well when he punched or caught the ball from crosses and corners. He is very aggressive when attempting to relieve pressure off his defenders. The Australian goalkeeper's distribution wasn't perfect, but he didn't put Villa in any danger trying to overplay. 7
Kosta Nedeljkovic
The teenager looked to join attacks at every given opportunity. He fired the ball over the bar from inside the box early on and appears to be forming a strong bond with Bailey on the right flank. He lost out to Azango on the wing half-way through the first period, but all in all, it was another impressive display. 7
Diego Carlos
Carlos was booked for a professional foul on Azango in the first half, but defended against the winger well when he looked to progress inside the box. 6
Sil Swinkels
Swinkels grew into the first half after starting with a foul after taking a heavy touch. The 20-year-old would have learned an awful lot just from two 45-minute halves alongside a senior pro in Carlos. 6
Lucas Digne
Digne broke forward well and combined effectively in the final third. He got in a position similar to when he scored against Legia last season, but couldn't find the back of the net this time as his effort from Barry's cross was blocked. 6
Enzo Barrenechea
Barrenechea is showing some encouraging signs. His passing range is strong and he has the vision to spot runners on the flanks. He was dispossessed early in the game, but was more secure in possession as the half developed. He initiated the press more so than Dendoncker. 6
Leander Dendoncker
The Belgian was safe and secure in possession and worked hard off the ball. While his future will likely be away from Villa, he has looked sharp in the first two pre-season friendlies. 6
Samuel Iling-Junior
Iling-Junior got back into shape well when Villa were defending and came inside the pitch when Villa were on the ball. He turned away from a Spartak midfielder late on in the first half, but his final ball to Barry was cut out. 6
Leon Bailey
Bailey played on the right wing today after operating as a support act for Barry in the win over Walsall. His moment of class separated the sides at the break as he cut in from the left and bent the ball into the far corner. It was a sublime finish. 7
Lewis Dobbin
Showed an excellent turn of pace in the first stages of the half when he collected the ball from deep and carried it forward, but he struggled to make an impact after then. 6
Louie Barry
Barry wriggled his way into the box in the 20th minute and flashed the ball across the face of goal. He was a threat running down the channels. 7
Second half player ratings
Robin Olsen
He made a few routine saves in the second half and played well. Spartak never really looked like scoring. 7
Matty Cash
Cash's energy was needed in the second half after a very dull first period. He and Kesler-Hayden dominated their flank. 7
Josh Feeney
Feeney recovered well when he made a minor mistake near the corner flag on the hour mark. He put in a strong tackle, but couldn't quite prevent a corner. 6
Pau Torres
Helped Villa gain control of the match and allowed his teammates to take possession in pockets of space in between the lines. 7
Alex Moreno
Moreno played a brilliant ball across the box early in the second half, but there were no takers. It was another assured showing from the Spaniard. 6
Lamare Bogarde
The holding midfielder was looking to progress the ball when he could and drove forward a few times. He won a free kick in a promising position, but Barkley's effort from the subsequent free-kick hit the wall. 6
Ross Barkley
His introduction added more intensity to Villa's play. Granted, there were another 10 changes at the break, but Villa's new midfielder added more control and quality to proceedings. It was his pass which picked the lock and allowed Villa to extend their lead. 8
Kaine Kesler-Hayden
Kesler-Hayden would've enjoyed the opportunity to play in a more advanced role in the first two friendlies of the summer. His speed was a problem for the Spartak left-back, who struggled to keep a lid on him at times. 8
Kadan Young
Young played off the left wing today after operating from the opposite flank in the second half of Villa's win over Walsall. He tried to slip Archer in early in the second period, but his pass was slightly too heavy. 7
Morgan Rogers
He's bang in form. Yes it is only pre-season, but he's bagged three goals in his last two games and looks in a really good place four weeks before the start of the campaign. 8
Cameron Archer
Archer took the one chance he got in the second half after bing picked out by Rogers. He's a poacher. 7
GOALS
Spartak Trnava: N/A
Villa: Bailey (38'), Rogers (53'), Archer (90').
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