Chesterfield 0 Villa XI 2

Jul 26 2006

WELSH international Mark Delaney sailed through his first 90 minutes in almost six months as Villa's second string made a fine start to their pre-season programme.

Right-back Scott Bridges was the unlikely two-goal hero as Villa defeated their League One opponents. Bridges found the net twice in the second-half - first from close range and then with a 20-yard pile-driver at the death.

Caretaker manager Roy Aitken and fitness coach Steve McGregor, who both watched from the sidelines, will also have been boosted by the fact that Eric Djemba-Djemba looked lively on his return.

Peter Whittingham and Craig Gardner also got in over an hour's workout and villa also handed a 23-minute debut to Swiss teenager Yago Bellon on the left side of midfield.
 

* Have your say on this story at www.birminghammail.net/villa/yourshout