Villa held by stubborn Valencia

Aston Villa failed to secure a win from their final pre-season outing as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Spanish outfit Valencia at Villa Park. Villa enjoyed the best of what chances there were against their illustrious opponents and might have won it at the death when Stewart Downing saw a free-kick come back off the crossbar. The match was notable as it pitched Villa striker John Carew against his former employers for the first time since leaving the Mestalla six years ago.