New Villa faces impress Emery in thrilling Toon draw

Unai Emery has backed Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans to hit the ground running at Aston Villa after encouraging first appearances in an entertaining 3-3 draw with Newcastle.

Torres was a half-time introduction against the Toon at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field, with former Leicester ace Tielemans given the final 30 minutes to impress.

Emery said: "The players are still keeping the levels of the work that we did from last year, as we need them to.

"The new players are adding to that and are getting up to speed with our style. 

"Pau Torres, he knows me. Youri Tielemans is a player who I think finds it easy to adapt to our style. 

"It was perfect also for our young players to play and show the plan that we have for them."

Early efforts from Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Buendia saw Villa race into a two-goal lead before Elliot Anderson and Alexander Isak brought the Magpies level before half-time.

Buendia continued a lively display by tapping home to restore Villa's lead after the break but Callum Wilson's finish ensured their Premier League Summer Series opener ended all square.

Encouraging signs

On his team's performance Stateside, Emery told the club's official site: "Everything we were practicing here, I think we did on the pitch in 90 minutes and we shared playing with experienced players and young players.

"I think we got the performance we were trying to get and I’m happy, really happy. The result is secondary for us.

"But to score three goals, of course, is one thing we are going to analyse. But I am happy."

Villa continued an eye-catching transfer window with the acquisition French winger Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

And Emery confirmed fans are likely to get a glimpse of their new man when they face Fulham in Orlando on Wednesday.

The 51-year-old added: "Now, we are going to prepare quickly for the match on Wednesday. Recover the players who played tonight, then try to add Philippe Coutinho and Moussa Diaby.

"Leon Bailey is coming back and meeting with us on Thursday too."