MATCH REPORT: CAMBRIDGE UNITED 0 ASTON VILLA 3
Cambridge United are defeated 3-0 by Championship side Aston Villa in the final pre-season clash at the Cambs Glass Stadium.Despite Adam McGurk playing Luke Berry through for the first chance of the game on four minutes, which the U’s captain was unable to tuck into the net from 10 yards, the Villans were quick out the blocks.
No sooner had former Chelsea and Man City winger Soctt Sinclair lashed in the opener, than his teammate Rushian Hepburn-Murphy had finished calmly past Will Norris to give Roberto Di Matteo’s side a two goal advantage in the eighth minute.
United were close to pegging a goal back when Berry played a perfectly weighted pass through for Ben Williamson, but the striker could not convert.
The first chance of the second half fell the way of Harrison Dunk who leathered a left footed strike wide of the mark, following Josh Coulson’s cushioned header down to the left midfielder.
Shaun Derry’s men continued to compete well with their higher ranked opposition, however they were unable to stop Gary Gardner from burying Villa’s third goal in the 78th minute.
The U’s had two late calls for penalties when George Maris was sent tumbling inside the Villa 18 yard box, but twice referee David Rock waved away the claims, and the match finished 0-3.
United return to home soil in under two weeks when they kick off the new Sky Bet League Two season against Barnet, with tickets online, in-store and available by calling 01223 566 500 today.
UNITED : Norris, Adams (Taylor, 70 mins), Dallison (Legge, 70 mins), Coulson (Roberts, 70 mins), Keane (Williams, 70 mins), Berry (Maris, 70 mins), Newton (Dunne, 70 mins), Clark A.Trialist, 45 mins), Elito, McGurk (Dunk, 17 mins – subbed off Mingoia, 70 mins)), Williamson (Pigott , 70 mins)
ASTON VILLA LINE-UP: Gollini, Bennett, Okore, Bacuna (Green, 65 mins), Sinclair, Tshibola (Sanchez, 55 mins), Toner, Hepburn-Murphy, Gardner, Lyden, Grealish (Veretout, 78 mins)
Attendance: 3,961 (816 away)