Aston Villa 1-3 Fulham: Libor Kozak's strike not enough as Championship side bag win

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Striker Libor Kozak scored on his first senior appearance for 19 months
Kozak missed last season entirely after suffering a double leg-break
The striker found the net 11 minutes after being introduced at half-time
But, Fulham were the stronger side overall and won the clash in Portugal

Published: 14:42 EST, 11 July 2015 | Updated: 03:25 EST, 12 July 2015

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Libor Kozak provided a timely reminder of his striking credentials by scoring on his first appearance for Aston Villa’s senior team in 19 months – but Tim Sherwood’s side still fell to defeat to Fulham in their opening pre-season friendly.

The Czech Republic international missed last season entirely after suffering a double leg-break in January 2014 and experiencing complications in his rehabilitation.

But he found the net 11 minutes after being introduced at half-time at the Stadio Da Nora, in the Algrave with a driven finish from Joe Cole’s smart through ball.

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Tim Sherwood’s Aston Villa suffered defeat against Fulham in their opening pre-season friendly in Portugal

Striker Libor Kozak scored on his first senior appearance for 19 months following his return from a leg break

Fulham opened the scoring in the Algarve and went on to win the Portuguese pre-season opener convincingly

Fulham were angry that the referee did not stop play with defender Shaun Hutchinson down injured.

They won out regardless, when Alexander Kakaniklic hit a beautiful curling shot from range that went in off the crossbar with 23 minutes to go.

Ross McCormack added a third late on with a calm finish following Ryan Tunnicliffe’s measured cross.

The Championship side had gone ahead in the 22nd minute when Matt Smith capitalised on hesitation to a falling ball between Micah Richards and Jed Steer to prod home.

Sherwood was able to get a look at 22 of his players, with two different XIs playing a half each on Saturday

Match Facts

Aston Villa: Steer, Baker, Richards, Bacuna, Richardson, Mason, Cole, Gil, N’Zogbia, Robinson, Agbonlahor

Subs: Watkins, Donacien, Clark, Sinclair, Senderos, Benteke, Hutton, Gardner, Cissokho, Tonev, Kozak, Calder, Green, Grealish

Goals: Kozak 55

Fulham: Lonergan, Grimmer, Bodurov, Burn, Voser, Hyndman, Donnelly, Eisfeld, Woodrow, Kačaniklić, Smith

Subs: Bettinelli, Rodak, Hutchinson, Pringle, Tunnicliffe, Taggart, Kavanagh, Cole, Burgess, McCormack

Goals: Smith 22, Kacaniklic 67, McCormack 86

Thomas Eisfeld provided the cross, with Cauley Woodrow winning an aerial duel against Nathan Baker to set up the defensive confusion.

Sherwood was able to get a look at 22 of his players, with two different XIs playing a half each.

Christian Benteke and Jack Grealish, who has a hamstring injury, sat out the match, with Richards making his first appearance in a Villa shirt.

Carles Gil, who barely featured at the end of last season, showed moments of promise during his 45 minutes to suggest Sherwood may be re-evaluating his view on the player.

Youngster Niall Mason impressed in a deep midfield role, with Sherwood electing for a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Cole came on at half-time to deliver a Zidane turn in front of 400 or so supporters under the baking Albufeira sun.

Kit Symons will leave the more satisfied of the two managers.

Tim Sherwood: It's fantastic for Libor Kozak to be back