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SportsReal Sociedad 4-2 Aston Villa in pre-season friendly comeback
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Real Sociedad defeated Aston Villa 4-2 in a pre-season friendly at Bescot Stadium in Walsall, England. Aston Villa, coached by Unai Emery and fielding many young players, took an early lead through a curling shot by Hemmings in the 14th minute. Real Sociedad equalized before halftime via Soler. In the second half, Óskarsson put La Real ahead in the 54th minute, but Madjo equalized for Villa just two minutes later. Real Sociedad regained the lead in the 66th minute when Carrera scored on his first touch after coming on as a substitute, assisted by Dani Díaz. Rupérez sealed the 4-2 victory in the 89th minute, capitalizing on a goalkeeper error. The match featured several goals and a high tempo, with both coaches making numerous substitutions.
Source report
Updated: 28/07/2026 - 22:27 CEST By: Óscar Badallo
Real Sociedad secured their second friendly victory in England, once again coming from behind to defeat Unai Emery's Aston Villa 4-2 at Bescot Stadium in Walsall.
Despite fielding a youthful side, Aston Villa took the lead early, but goals from Soler, Óskarsson, Carrera, and Rupérez ensured the txuriurdin side left victorious.
First Half: Early Pressure and Response
La Real began the match with two consecutive corner kicks but failed to convert. Remiro was called into action early, denying Maatsen's close-range effort and later making a crucial save to block a point-blank shot from Burrowes.
Aston Villa broke the deadlock in the 14th minute when Hemmings curled the ball into the net, putting Emery's side ahead.
Real Sociedad responded swiftly. Yangel saw a right-footed effort go wide, and Barrenetxea had a shot blocked by a Villa defender. The equalizer came in the 22nd minute: Soler fired from the heart of the area, and after Bizot cleared the initial attempt, the Valencia native made no mistake on the rebound.
Further chances from Soler, a poorly finished counterattack by Óskarsson, and another shot from the Icelander rounded out the first-half action.
Second Half: Three Goals Seal the Win
The second half began with few changes from either manager, and La Real took the lead in the 54th minute. A very alert Óskarsson capitalized on the rebound from a Barrenetxea free kick to make it 2-1.
The lead was short-lived. Just two minutes later, Madjo equalized for Aston Villa with a close-range finish past Remiro.
Matarazzo made wholesale changes around the hour mark, and the impact was immediate. Carrera, on his first touch, latched onto a Dani Díaz assist—reminiscent of Laudrup—to put La Real back in front.
Zakharyan squandered a chance to extend the lead, and saw a long-range right-footed shot saved. However, in the 89th minute, a goalkeeping error on an aerial ball allowed Rupérez to react quickly and poke home the final goal, making it 4-2.
Match Details
Lineups
Aston Villa: Bizot; Cash, Mings, Barkley, Buendía; Maatsen, Gomes, Madjo, Cissé; Burrowes and Hemmings. Also played: James Wright, Torres, Bogarde, Lynch, Nedeljkovic, Carroll, Broggio, Borland and Jimoh-Aloba. Coach: Unai Emery.
Real Sociedad: Remiro; Aramburu, Jon Martín, Zubeldia, Sergio Gómez; Turrientes, Yangel Herrera; Barrenetxea, Soler, Marchal; Óskarsson. Also played: Beitia, Zakharyan, Rupérez, Kita, Aihen, Ibai Aguirre, Lebarbier, Dani Díaz, Ochieng and Carrera. Coach: Pellegrino Matarazzo.
Goals
| Minute | Goal | Description | |--------|------|-------------| | 14' | 1-0 | Hemmings, with a curling shot | | 22' | 1-1 | Soler, with a placed shot | | 54' | 1-2 | Óskarsson, from close range | | 56' | 2-2 | Madjo, with a close-range finish | | 66' | 2-3 | Carrera crosses the ball in | | 89' | 2-4 | Rupérez takes advantage of Wright's blunder |
Discipline
- Yellow cards: Turrientes 32', Beitia 55', Joao Gomes 71'
- Referee: Lewis Smith (England)
Venue
Bescot Stadium, Walsall (England)
Show comments: 13
Source
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaWestern
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Real Sociedad thrashes Aston Villa 4-2 in friendly comeback