Youngster Luka Lynch on target as Aston Villa edged out by Porto

Youngster Luka Lynch scored in successive games as Aston Villa suffered defeat to Portuguese champions Porto in their second outing of pre-season.

Unai Emery’s side fell behind early at Estadio do Dragao on Saturday night before responding through Luka Lynch’s superb low strike. However, Pepe restored Porto’s advantage four minutes before half-time to complete the scoring.

There was a party atmosphere in Porto for Villa’s second pre-season fixture following their emphatic victory over Walsall, with the hosts unveiling their squad for the upcoming campaign in front of a packed stadium.

And Porto’s quality was evident from the outset as they took the lead after just five minutes. Gomes controlled a near-post flick-on from a long throw before firing a volley into the bottom corner.

Villa responded quickly, levelling the scores seven minutes later when Lamare Bogarde intercepted possession and played Lynch through inside the box.

Having scored in Tuesday's 5-0 victory over Walsall, Lynch has now found the net for Villa in successive games.

The young forward still had plenty to do, but showed composure to turn and fire a low effort beyond Claudio Ramos to bring Emery’s side back on terms.

Villa had controlled much of the tempo, but Porto regained the lead shortly before the interval. Pepe was left unmarked at the back post and punished Villa’s failure to clear a free-kick, dragging his effort beyond Marco Bizot.

Emery made three changes at the break, introducing Kosta Nedeljkovic, new signing Joao Gomes and James Wright.

The visitors continued to dominate possession after the restart but struggled to create a clear opening.

A raft of substitutions followed just after the hour mark as both managers handed valuable minutes to players from the bench.

Brian Madjo was lively, while Bradley Burrowes came closest to forcing an equaliser when his effort went narrowly wide.

Villa will now return home to face La Liga side Real Sociedad at Walsall on Tuesday evening as their preparations for the new season continue.