Martin O’Neill was frustrated to see Villa’s hopes of Peace Cup progression slip out of their own hands on a night which looked doomed from the start.

Anything but a defeat for Malaga against Atlante tonight will spell the end of Villa’s semi-final hopes following Fernando’s 80th-minute strike in what proved a lacklustre clash at La Rosaleda.

The signs were ominous even before the game kicked off with chief executive Paul Faulkner initially denied entry due to an accreditation blunder and Villa’s boss comically called Martin O’Leary on the teamsheet.

They were just two of a string of embarrassing errprs made by the tournament organisers which saw Saturday evening’s encounter descend into farce – a real shame given the competition’s peace objectives.

Of even greater to concern to Villa would have been the sight of Emile Heskey being stretchered off. However, it fortunately just turned out to be a case of mild concussion.

And a generally disappointing night was compounded when Villa conceded late on.

It leaves them praying for a miracle to progress but O’Neill insists they must look at the bigger picture with the new season less than three weeks away.

“The game panned out exactly how I would expect, it was a stereotypical pre-season game,” he said.

“It is nothing to get carried away with. I would have liked to have qualified for the second stages. It’s not beyond us but it is out of our hands.

“We’re using these games as more than a fitness exercise. I was expecting to win the game. I thought we were capable of doing it. It’s a useful workout because there’s a competitive edge to this competition.

“It’s disappointing to lose the game but we’ve got the bigger picture in mind which I mentioned a few days ago.”

Rookie right-back Eric Lichaj was drafted in to allow Carlos Cuellar to take the departed Zat Knight’s place in the centre of defence, while Stiliyan Petrov was one of Villa’s four major international stars to return to the starting XI.

One of them was to last just six minutes though with Heskey stretchered off following a clash of heads with defender Weligton.

It was the only real incident of note in a nauseatingly pedestrian opening period in which Villa failed to register an attempt.

So much for this being a ‘competitive’ friendly.

The Spaniards played the better football and one slick passing move opened up a chance for Oscar only for Brad Friedel to save the striker’s shot superbly with his legs. Malaga still looked the more threatening in the second half and Friedel was the hero again, tipping a vicious David Gonzalez strike over his crossbar.

It was not until the 71st minute that Villa even came close when substitute Marc Albrighton’s deflected shot looped over the bar.

Their best chance came seven minutes later when the ball fell to another replacement, Isaiah Osbourne, at the far post only for the fringe midfielder to blaze over.

And Villa were made to pay for their profligacy shortly afterwards when Malaga took full advantage of a Lichaj error.

Ex-Newcastle midfielder Albert Luque had time to deliver a dangerous cross which Friedel could only palm into the path of Fernando who fired home.

And despite his mistake, O’Neill was pleased with the youngster’s overall display.

“Eric was obviously nervous before the game,” added O’Neill.

“There were a couple of stray passes early on but he settled down. Overall he did well.”

l Villa striker Emile Heskey is winning his race to be fit for Wednesday’s Peace Cup clash against Atlante.

The England forward was stretchered off with mild concussion just six minutes into Saturday evening’s defeat to Malaga following a clash of heads with Brazilian defender Weligton.

“He’s got a bit of a cut and he was disorientated but I think (club doctor) Roddy (MacDonald) is happy with him,” said O’Neill.

“Having come back late (for pre-season) and only played a few minutes of the game, we felt it was best to take him off and make a substitution at that stage. We will monitor it each day but I don’t think he would be ruled out at this stage.”

And Luke Young (thigh) could make his first appearance of pre-season with O’Neill adding: “If he comes through training today he could play.”