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Pre-season Friendlies

Jul 10, 2013 at 6pm UK

Rodinghausen SV Rodinghausen
1-1
Aston Villa

Nicklas Helenius nets in Aston Villa draw

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 10 July 2013

Danish striker Nicklas Helenius scores on his Aston Villa debut but Paul Lambert's men cannot overcome German minnows SV Rodinghausen in their pre-season friendly.

New signing Nicklas Helenius scored on his Aston Villa debut as the Premier League outfit were held to a 1-1 draw in their pre-season friendly with German minnows SV Rodinghausen.

The Danish international striker, who joined Paul Lambert's side on a three-year deal from Aalborg, used all of his 6'5" frame to head home his maiden Villans goal.

Bulgarian winger Aleksandar Tonev was another new arrival on display and came close with two long-distance efforts in the first period.

Shortly after the break, Helenius, starting up front in the absence of Christian Benteke - who did not travel with the squad after handing in a transfer request - met Matt Lowton's cross at the near post to put Villa ahead.

Lambert gave several youngsters a runout in the second half and Rodinghausen, of the Oberliga Westfalen in Germany, equalised late on through a Soren Siek strike.