Aston Villa’s pre-season tour of the United States continued with a 2-0 defeat to Champions League side RB Leipzig in New Jersey. Despite a promising start, Unai Emery’s team struggled to contain the German outfit, who took the lead through Andre Silva’s 17th-minute strike.

Lois Openda doubled Leipzig’s advantage just before half-time, and things went from bad to worse for Villa as Diego Carlos was shown a second yellow card in the aftermath of the goal. The sending-off left Villa with a mountain to climb, and they were unable to reduce the deficit in the second half.

The game saw the return of John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey, who made their first appearances of pre-season to the delight of the Villa fans in attendance. McGinn, in particular, was a welcome sight, having missed the majority of last season through injury. His presence in midfield will be crucial for Villa this season.

Ramsey, too, was impressive, showing flashes of his skill and creativity on the ball. His return from injury is a major boost for Emery’s team, and he’ll be looking to make up for lost time in the coming weeks.

Despite the defeat, there were positives for Villa. New signing Amadou Onana impressed in midfield, showing his strength and vision on the ball. The young Belgian will be a valuable addition to the squad this season.

Villa utilized 22 players on the night, giving valuable game time to a number of squad members. The defeat will serve as a valuable learning experience for Emery’s team as they prepare for the new season.

Next up for Villa is a clash with Club América in Chicago on Saturday, where they’ll look to bounce back from this defeat and continue their pre-season preparations. With a number of new signings and returning players, the squad is shaping up to be an exciting one. Bring on the new season!