Holman nets in Villa win

Teenage midfielder Daniel Johnson turned home Eric Lichaj's cross to open the scoring and Australia attacker Brett Holman staked his claim to replace the injured Gabriel Agbonlahor when he slammed home the second with his left foot.

Mehdi Abeid and new signing Romain Amalfitano scored spectacular goals as Newcastle United beat near neighbour Gateshead 4-1.

Abeid smashed home a ferocious strike in the early stages and Amalfitano ran from inside his own half and beat two defenders before scoring the second.

Youngsters Conor Newton and Marcus Maddison rounded off a comfortable win for a side which also featured another new signing, former Melbourne Heart defender Curtis Good.

Everton suffered a 2-1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers in the Liverpool Senior Cup final as it continued its pre-season preparations.

In a game which saw three penalties awarded and only one scored, Everton held a first-half lead after Apostolos Vellios diverted home Luke Garbutt's cross.

Everton goalkeeper Jan Mucha conceded a penalty with a foul on Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro but then saved from Andy Robinson to keep his side on level terms.

Mucha was later beaten from the spot by James Wallace and, after Conor McAleny missed a penatly at the other end, Robinson scored a late winner on the counter-attack.