Aston Villa wrapped up their pre-season trip to the USA with a 2-2 draw against Nashville SC in Tennessee.
Ollie Watkins opened the scoring with a well-taken header from Lucas Digne’s cross after 18 minutes – his third goal in three matches Stateside.
Donyell Malen doubled Villa’s tally shortly after the hour, firing home his first goal of the tour to go with his impressive three assists.
But Matthew Corcoran reduced the deficit for the resurgent, in-form MLS hosts, before Sam Surridge levelled matters six minutes from time to ensure the spoils were shared.
Villa, who registered two goals in each of their summer fixtures in America, threatened on countless occasions before being pegged back in what was an entertaining encounter in front of 20,905 fans at GEODIS Park.
Unai Emery used a total of 23 players against Nashville, with the Villans now returning to England to continue their pre-season preparations against AS Roma on Wednesday.
Nashville SC v Aston Villa
Nashville SC v Aston Villa
Nashville went into the clash sitting third in the Eastern Conference table, having lost just two of their previous 19 matches.
Jacob Ramsey started against the Boys in Gold having not featured in Wednesday’s 2-1 victory at St. Louis City SC.
Watkins spurned the chance to put Villa ahead inside the opening six minutes, curling wide from a challenging angle having been sent clear by Boubacar Kamara.
The England international was denied by a fantastic stop from Nashville ‘keeper Brian Schwake to keep out his header moments later, before Emi Martínez produced an equally impressive save to get down low and tip Teal Bunbury’s low strike around a post.
Nashville SC v Aston Villa
Nashville SC v Aston Villa
A thrilling start to the encounter continued as Leon Bailey’s stinging drive was parried by Schwake in the 12th minute, Watkins heading over the rebound.
And it was no surprise to see a breakthrough in the opening quarter, with the lively Watkins getting across his marker and glancing home Digne’s inch-perfect cross from eight yards.
Nashville SC v Aston Villa
Nashville SC v Aston Villa
Ramsey was somehow thwarted by Schwake just before the half-hour mark, saving between his legs after the Villa midfielder was found by Buendía.
And Ramsey was again denied, this time by a lunging Jack Maher, as the Villans held a narrow advantage at the break.
Manager Emery made eight changes at the interval, with Martínez, Bailey and Lamare Bogarde the only players remaining for the second half.
Nashville SC v Aston Villa
Nashville SC v Aston Villa
Villa continued on the front foot, Ezri Konsa firing wide before Nashville substitute stopper Xavier Valdez denied Malen and Morgan Rogers.
Joe Gauci, Samuel Iling Jr and Triston Rowe were introduced in the 63rd minute, and the visitors doubled their lead shortly afterwards.
Youri Tielemans won possession in a dangerous area 25 yards from goal, the ball broke for Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, who found Malen and he cut inside before finding the far corner.
Nashville SC v Aston Villa
Nashville SC v Aston Villa
A combination of Gauci and Villa’s defence cleared the danger as Nashville threatened at the other end, while Iling Jr’s low strike almost brought a third for Emery’s side.
Corcoran latched on to a neat flick from Surridge to halve Villa’s advantage in the 75th minute.
Patterson’s introduction ensured each of Villa’s outfield players got minutes under their belt.
The hosts, buoyed by their goal, continued the threaten and Surridge won the ball out wide on the edge of Villa’s area before surging forwards and curling beyond Gauci into the top corner to level matters late on, much to the delight of the home support.
Aston Villa: Martínez (Gauci 63), Cash (Konsa 46), Bogarde (Rowe 63), Torres (Mings 46), Digne (Maatsen 46) (Patterson 80), Kamara (McGinn 46), Onana (Tielemans 46), Bailey (Iling Jr 63), Buendía (Rogers 46), Ramsey (Jimoh-Aloba 46), Watkins (Malen 46).
Subs: Bizot.