A bumper friendly crowd of more than 5,000 packed into just two open sides of Sincil Bank to witness the first serious pre season friendly under Peter Jackson. As expected Villa brought a full strength squad, with a starting XI that featured John Carew, Ashley Young, Gabby Agbonlahor, new signing Steve Sidwell and Euro Championship star Wilfred Bouma.
City began with a similarly strong side, Rob Burch in goal joining new boys Aaron Brown, Frank Sinclair and Jan Kovacs across the back. Paul Green made up the defensive quartet, with Stefan Oakes and Scott Kerr in midfield. Up front Jacko opted for Lenny John Lewis and Dany N'Guesson out wide with Ben Wright and David Graham up front.
Aston Villa started at a quick pace, and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring after just eight minutes. John Carew scored it after a slight slip by Frank Sinclair. The Villa fans sensed a rout, and City had to settle quickly.
Settle they did, and slowly but surely they began to creep into the game. At the back Sinclair soon found his feet, and Aaron Brown looked nice and solid against the pace of the Villa attack. Kovacs began to dominate in the air, even challenging the giant John Carew. Going forward City were a little muted, with both Ben Wright and David Graham working hard. Lincoln looked most dangerous when attacking down either flank, a task made easier by some pinpoint passing from Stefan Oakes.
Neither side really threatened the others goal, but Villa did have the best of the first half chances. However everything they did produce either went wide or was stopped by Rob Burch. Burch looked comfortable and completely at ease between the sticks, and any thoughts of an Alan Marriott fan club backlash were soon dispelled.
By half time City had done enough to convince the home fans that they have every reason to be optimistic. At 1-0 down there was no shame in the result, and as a unit they seemed to be performing well.
As the teams emerged from the tunnel at half time Lincolns task seemed immense. Despite bringing off John Carew, Villa still had a strong side on the field, and looked like they meant business. The travelling support of over a thousand were cheering their side on as if it were a Premiership game, and there was a real air of expectation amongst the Villa fans.
Just eight minutes into the second half however the balance of power shifted. Stefan Oakes took a free kick from in front of the newly named 'Poachers Corner' stand and landed it on the head of Jan Kovacs. Kovacs steered an excellent header past a despairing Stuart Taylor to make it 1-1.
Villa struck back almost immediately but were struggling to find an effort and target, and everytime they did Rob Burch was equal to it.
City began probing more and more, and after some stirring stuff from the Imps they found a second goal. Once again a superb cross found Lenny John Lewis lurking just in front of Kovacs, and he powered a header past Taylor. 2-1.
It was 2-1 for just thirty seconds. The Imps quickly won possesion, and somehow Ben Wright found himself clear and free. With all the composure of a 20 goal a season striker he steadied himself before slotting the ball home for 3-1.
The final fifteen minutes saw a round of subs which meant that Shane Clark, Gary King, Danny Hone, Lee Frecklington, Stuart Giddings, Martin Pembleton, and Lee Beevers all got a run out. The only unused sub was trialist Sam Mullarkey.
When the final whistle sounded the air of optimism that has been hanging over Sincil Bank all pre season suddenly swooped down and enveloped the 4,000 strong home support. Yes its a pre season friendly and yes it means very little in the grand scheme of things, but Villa put their strongest side out and gave it more than a usual pre season kick about. City should be proud of themselves for an excellent win, and now they can push on and aim for their ultimate goal, the League Two title.
City began with a similarly strong side, Rob Burch in goal joining new boys Aaron Brown, Frank Sinclair and Jan Kovacs across the back. Paul Green made up the defensive quartet, with Stefan Oakes and Scott Kerr in midfield. Up front Jacko opted for Lenny John Lewis and Dany N'Guesson out wide with Ben Wright and David Graham up front.
Aston Villa started at a quick pace, and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring after just eight minutes. John Carew scored it after a slight slip by Frank Sinclair. The Villa fans sensed a rout, and City had to settle quickly.
Settle they did, and slowly but surely they began to creep into the game. At the back Sinclair soon found his feet, and Aaron Brown looked nice and solid against the pace of the Villa attack. Kovacs began to dominate in the air, even challenging the giant John Carew. Going forward City were a little muted, with both Ben Wright and David Graham working hard. Lincoln looked most dangerous when attacking down either flank, a task made easier by some pinpoint passing from Stefan Oakes.
Neither side really threatened the others goal, but Villa did have the best of the first half chances. However everything they did produce either went wide or was stopped by Rob Burch. Burch looked comfortable and completely at ease between the sticks, and any thoughts of an Alan Marriott fan club backlash were soon dispelled.
By half time City had done enough to convince the home fans that they have every reason to be optimistic. At 1-0 down there was no shame in the result, and as a unit they seemed to be performing well.
As the teams emerged from the tunnel at half time Lincolns task seemed immense. Despite bringing off John Carew, Villa still had a strong side on the field, and looked like they meant business. The travelling support of over a thousand were cheering their side on as if it were a Premiership game, and there was a real air of expectation amongst the Villa fans.
Just eight minutes into the second half however the balance of power shifted. Stefan Oakes took a free kick from in front of the newly named 'Poachers Corner' stand and landed it on the head of Jan Kovacs. Kovacs steered an excellent header past a despairing Stuart Taylor to make it 1-1.
Villa struck back almost immediately but were struggling to find an effort and target, and everytime they did Rob Burch was equal to it.
City began probing more and more, and after some stirring stuff from the Imps they found a second goal. Once again a superb cross found Lenny John Lewis lurking just in front of Kovacs, and he powered a header past Taylor. 2-1.
It was 2-1 for just thirty seconds. The Imps quickly won possesion, and somehow Ben Wright found himself clear and free. With all the composure of a 20 goal a season striker he steadied himself before slotting the ball home for 3-1.
The final fifteen minutes saw a round of subs which meant that Shane Clark, Gary King, Danny Hone, Lee Frecklington, Stuart Giddings, Martin Pembleton, and Lee Beevers all got a run out. The only unused sub was trialist Sam Mullarkey.
When the final whistle sounded the air of optimism that has been hanging over Sincil Bank all pre season suddenly swooped down and enveloped the 4,000 strong home support. Yes its a pre season friendly and yes it means very little in the grand scheme of things, but Villa put their strongest side out and gave it more than a usual pre season kick about. City should be proud of themselves for an excellent win, and now they can push on and aim for their ultimate goal, the League Two title.