Wednesday, July 30, 2003

BROMSGROVE Rovers were beaten by the odd goal in five by an Aston Villa XI featuring three Premiership players.

Liam Ridgewell, Stephan Cooke and Stefan Moore all played in the top flight last season under then manager Graham Taylor and turned out at the Victoria Ground on Wednesday, July 30.

Finnish striker Mika Aaritallo forced an early save from Rovers goalkeeper Paul Wyatt and on 16 minutes Peter Hynes' header hit the foot of the post. Villa continued to press but were unable to force Wyatt into a further save.

The hosts took the lead on 35 minutes. Marcus Jackson received Dave Benton's pass in space and chipped the ball over a stranded Boaz Myhill. The visitors were level five minutes later when substitute Amadou Kouman beat Wyatt from close range with a header.

Jackson continued to trouble the Villa defence and forced a corner at the start of the second half before having a chance to duplicate his first goal, but this time was foiled by Wayne Henderson.

Villa took the lead on 70 minutes when Gadby Agbohlahor stretched out a foot to divert a far post header past Ian Gandy and then extended their lead six minutes later when Danny Jackman capped a fine performance with a left wing run and low shot.

Rovers pulled a goal back with five minutes to go when Kevin Banner forced a shot over the line.

ROVERS

Wyatt (sub Gandy 54 mins), Henry, Beckett, Hill (sub Tompkins 73 mins), Benton, Scheppel, Benbow (sub Frost 73 mins), Dyson, Bowen (sub Banner 54 mins), Sutton (sub Atkinson 76 mins), Jackson.

Match report by CHRIS FOX.