Joao Gomes makes Aston Villa debut in Walsall friendly cruise

Joao Gomes made his Villa debut in a resounding 5-0 friendly win at Walsall.

The 25-year-old Brazilian turned out in claret and blue for the first time just a day after completing a £38million move across the West Midlands from Wolves.

Gomes played the second half of a match in which boss Unai Emery fielded 22 different players, with all the visiting team’s goals coming from teenagers.

Brian Madjo, 17, was twice on the mark in the first half against the League One Saddlers, either side of a strike from 19-year-old George Hemmings.

Another two 19-year-olds, Luka Lynch and Aidan Borland, then added to the score in the second half as the Premier League club cruised to victory in their opening pre-season fixture.

The youngsters were assisted by Gomes and other first-team stars including Ross Barkley, Leon Bailey and Tyrone Mings, with Villa making 10 changes at the break. Defender Modou Cisse was the only player to feature for more than 45 minutes.

Madjo’s brace came on his first appearance in front of supporters since joining from Metz for £10million in January.

Villa have so far been unable to register his signing, meaning he cannot appear in competitive matches, due to Fifa’s rules on international transfers.

The club appealed the decision at the court of arbitration for sport earlier this month and are currently awaiting a verdict, in the hope he will be able to feature this season. As things stand, Madjo cannot be registered until he turns 18 next January.