Pictures and analysis of Luton Town 2 Aston Villa 0

Striker Christian Benteke made a low-key return as Aston Villa suffered a disappointing defeat at Luton.

The Belgian star played 45 minutes of his comeback game after a turbulent summer which saw him hand in a transfer request before signing a new deal.

He was unable to inspire the claret and blues, though, as goals from Jon Shaw and Jake Howells sealed a 2-0 victory for the Hatters.

Villa academy starlets Janoi Donacien, Josh Webb, Graham Burke and Samir Carruthers started with 16 first-team members injured or out-of-favour.

Of the starters at Kenilworth Road only Nathan Baker, Fabian Delph, Yacouba Sylla and Benteke would be considered serious candidates for the season opener at Arsenal on August 17.

Defeat made it four draws and one loss from their opening five pre-season games ahead of Friday's trip to Crewe.

And Villa struggled for early momentum as Gary Gardner's careless clearance was sliced straight through to Dave Martin, only for the former Walsall loanee to fire wide after eight minutes.

It was the only action of a quiet opening, where lively Luton pressed their visitors without any more serious threat.

Sylla's drive was saved by shot-stopper Mark Tyler after 14 minutes in Villa's only early sight of goal.

And Luton opened the scoring after 23 minutes when a cute cut-back from Mark Cullen found strike partner Shaw to smash in from four yards.

Cullen then tested goalkeeper Jed Steer just after the half hour, with Benteke a lonely figure in the visitors' attack.

Tyler smothered at the Belgian's feet just before the break after a neat ball by Delph, but he was rarely in top gear in the first-half.

It was a fitness exercise for the 22-year-old as he felt his way back but, aside from some neat touches, he was well marshalled by the strong Luton back-line.

Gardner flashed a free-kick wide on 44 minutes and Benteke was withdrawn at the start of the second-half for Callum Robinson.

And the 18-year-old almost levelled 10 minutes after coming on, when he headed wide after Donacien's fine run and cross.

Ronnie Henry's superb tackle denied Daniel Johnson on 64 minutes – after a raft of changes which saw Ron Vlaar and Leandro Bacuna enter.

Villa improved but goalkeeper Brad Guzan was forced into a fine stop 10 minutes later when he turned Shaw's fierce volley wide.

And Luton were not denied a second on 77 minutes when Howells capitalised on some sloppy defending as he ran through and found the corner.

By Nick Mashiter