Aston Villa edge five-goal thriller with Malaga

Aston Villa rounded off their pre-season with an entertaining 3-2 victory over Malaga at Villa Park.

Christian Benteke fired the Villans ahead in the 12th minute, overpowering two defenders before rounding the goalkeeper and tapping home.

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Paul Lambert's men doubled their lead eight minutes later through captain Ron Vlaar, who met Aleksandar Tonev's corner with a bullet header that found the back of the net.

Prolific striker Benteke added a third from the penalty spot after Argentine defender Marcos Angeleri brought him down in the area.

Malaga pulled one back three minutes before half time when Jores Okore attempted to clear Bartolomiej Pawlowski's cross in front of goal, only to slice the ball into his own net.

The Spaniards further reduced the deficit with just over an hour gone when Sergi Darder's effort from the edge of the box was deflected in off Karim El Ahmadi, but an equaliser proved beyond them.