Villa were victorious in their first pre-season game of note as they saw off the challenge of league one Peterborough United.
The goals came from Ashley Young, John Carew and young American right-back Eric Lichaj as a 3-2 win was wrapped up at London Road.
Young's goal was a beauty as he chipped the ball into the net from distance. Peterborough's highly-rated 'keeper Joe Lewis had little chance with the adept finish from the Villa's wing wizard.
But, to their credit Gary Johnson's men came back with a bang as Aaron Davies beat the Claret and Blue defence and then stopper Brad Friedel to restore parity.
Friedel was then forced into a number of saves, notably from midfielder Grant McCann who hit a testing shot from long range, which was parried by Villa's No 1.
Boro were on the up but two minutes before the half-time whistle was due to sound, Young created the away side's second goal.
The former Watford man teed up John Carew to finish after youngster Marc Abrighton had done some good work on the right flank.
And eight minutes after the break, Villa added to their lead, with Lichaj heading home Stewart Downing's corner.
The game was safe and the typical flurry of subsitution was to follow as Martin O'Neill gave some of his young guns a run out.
That signalled a chance for Peterborough to push their Premier League opponents back and Charlie Lee beat substitute stopper Elliot Parish from 25 yards.
It was the be the final goal of the game and Villa had a useful win and, more importantly, useful match minutes under their belts.