Scorers: Can 33′ (pen), Brandt 35′
Aston Villa lost to Borussia Dortmund, last season’s Champions League runners-up, in their final pre-season friendly before the new campaign.
While both teams named strong groups despite many absences, the hosts took the initiative from the start at Signal Iduna Park, applying a livelier style of play under new boss Nuri Sahin and causing disarray in the Unai Emery in the early stages.
However, a penalty was needed to separate the two teams, as Ezri Konsa fouled Karim Adeyemi just after 30 minutes, allowing Emre Can to squeeze the ball past Emiliano Martinez to put the hosts ahead.
Moments later, they had two leads, Julian Brandt took advantage of a moment of uncertainty from Pau Torres to borrow the ball and score from 4 meters.
Villa rallied behind in the half and John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey will feel they may have done more with their efforts before the break.
The second half was much slower, marked by substitutions as Villa looked for a way back into the game.
Ramsey, a bright spark for Emery’s team, wasted two more attempts, while youngster Cameron Archer also had a wonderful chance to close the gap.
But the goal never came and Dortmund saw the game out with professionalism to take a 2-0 victory over the Villans.
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