Aston Villa edge out Houston Dynamo in pre-season clash

Joe Bennett scored the only goal of the game to hand Aston Villa a 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo in their pre-season clash.

Houston should have taken the lead in the 20th minute when midfielder Brad Davis was played through on goal, but he could only fire his shot wide of the target.

Villa responded as Fabian Delph picked up the ball in midfield and drove into the penalty area, but he could only drag his shot wide of the post.

Paul Lambert's side took the lead just before the break when Bennett rose highest in the box to head Andreas Weimann's cross from the left past Tyler Deric.

In the second half, Villa came close to doubling their advantage when Darren Bent found space and time inside the penalty area, but his shot was well saved by Deric.

Villa keeper Jed Steer then maintained his side's lead as he produced a great stop to deny Ricardo Clark as the midfielder let fly with a powerful effort from 20 yards out.

The Dynamo nearly found an equaliser when Omar Cummings headed at goal and although his effort beat Steer, Alan Hutton was on the line to clear the ball to safety.

The visitors came close to wrapping up the points when Gary Gardner drilled a shot at goal and saw his effort cannon off the crossbar, but Villa were able to see out the victory.