A great Carlos Soler goal from a free kick went unrewarded for VCF Mestalla on Wednesday night, as they lost 2-1 to Aston Villa on Matchday 2 of the Premier League International Cup. Two goals from the home side’s Callum O’Hare kept the three points at Villa Park, with the Valencia CF youth team going home empty handed.
The opposition allowed VCF Mestalla possession in the first half, but made attacking difficult with their compact lines. However, Rafa Mir did enjoy a chance off a solo run and Grego had a header on goal –both saved by the Aston Villa goalkeeper.
Just when Curro Torres’ side looked close to going ahead, the home team took the lead off a corner. The ball fell inside the six-yard box and O’Hare was able to convert.
The response from VCF Mestalla was quick, and Soler’s superb free kick got the team back on terms before halftime.
Soler would hit the crossbar off his next free kick attempt, as the second half got underway in energetic fashion.
There was controversy as Aridai was felled in the area, with play being waved on and VCF Mestalla denied a penalty, followed by a spot kick awarded to Aston Villa for a foul that appeared to have been committed outside the box. Goalkeeper Ferran Ferri exacted justive with an excellent save from the resulting penalty.
Valencia CF were reduced to ten men with the sending off of Aridai, and Curro Torres was also sent to the stands. In the resulting loss of concentration, Aston Villa scored their definitive second goal.
The team’s next fixture in the Premier league International Cup takes place on November 30th, against Celtic.
Premier League International Cup
Villa Park, Birmingham
Aston Villa 2 vs.1 VCF Mestalla
Aston Villa: Viktor Johansson, Mitchell Clark, Tom Legget, Rory Hale, Johan Abdoul, Joonas Sundman, Corey Blackett-Taylor (Joseph Linley m. 93), Khalid Abdo ©, Keinan Davis (Kelsey Mkoooney m. 89), Callum O’Hare and Jordan Cox (Jack Clarke m. 80).
VCF Mestalla: Ferran Ferri, Marc Ferris, Lato, Javi Jiménez, Charli ©, Grego, Carlos Soler (Eugeni m. 64), Ivan Cifuentes (Nacho Gil m. 72) , Alberto Gil (Aridai m. 74), Rafa Mir and Jordi Sánchez
Goals: 1-0 m. 40 Callum O’Hare; 1-1 m. 45 Carlos Soler, 2-1 m. 82 Callum O’Hare.
Referee: Robert Whitton. Yellow cards for VCF Mestalla players Rafa Mir, Jordi Sánchez, Marc Ferris, Nacho Gil, and Airdai (x2). Yellow cards for Aston Villa players Mitchell Clark and Rory Hale.