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Bayern Munich Hold Off Aston Villa Fightback to Win Hong Kong Friendly
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Bayern Munich Hold Off Aston Villa Fightback to Win Hong Kong Friendly

1 hour ago·2 min

Bayern Munich withstood a determined late charge from Aston Villa to claim a 2-1 victory in Hong Kong, wrapping up the pre-season Asia tours for both clubs at Kai Tak Stadium in front of 38,176 fans.

The Bundesliga champions appeared to have the match firmly in hand after Kim Min-Jae gave them the lead with a glancing header in the 37th minute, before Luis Diaz — introduced from the bench — extended the advantage to two goals with under ten minutes remaining.

Villa's late flurry falls short

Joao Gomes hauled Aston Villa back into the contest in the 83rd minute with a poked effort from outside the area that curved beyond Manuel Neuer's outstretched arm. The goal sparked Unai Emery's side into life, and within two minutes Neuer was called upon again — this time producing a remarkable close-range stop to deny Tammy Abraham's header.

Villa pressed for an equaliser and showed a fluency and confidence in those final minutes that had been largely absent earlier in the match. It was not enough, however, and Bayern held on to seal the win.

Pre-season picture

The result gives Bayern Munich three straight victories across their pre-season programme. For Aston Villa, it was a third defeat in six friendlies — a record that does little to ease nerves ahead of a significant test. Emery's side face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg on August 12, before a further pre-season fixture against Borussia Monchengladbach at Borussia-Park on August 15.

Earlier in their Asia tour, Villa had beaten Indonesia All-Stars 3-1 in Jakarta and BG Pathum United 3-1 in Thailand, though they also suffered defeats to Porto and Real Sociedad back in July.

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