# Aston Villa's Otamendi Tops Benfica's League Goals Tally in Friendly Match
Aston Villa secured a 3-1 victory over Benfica in a friendly match, marking a positive start to their pre-season preparations. The game, held at Villa Park, showcased the attacking prowess of both sides, with Villa emerging victorious thanks to a brace from striker Sergio Otamendi and goals from Lucas Jota and new signing Luis.
Otamendi, who joined Villa from Benfica earlier this summer, was the standout performer, netting two goals and proving instrumental in Villa's win. His clinical finish in the first half and a decisive header in the second half demonstrated his clinical edge in front of goal. Jota, who recently rejoined Villa after a brief spell with Benfica, also contributed with a well-taken goal, while Luis, Villa's new signing from Barcelona, made an encouraging debut, scoring the third goal.
Benfica, despite their 1-0 loss in the second half, put up a strong fight and posed a constant threat, particularly through their pace on the counter-attack. Their lone goal came from a well-executed counter-attack, finishing a clinical move by their forward.
The match was a good test for both sides, with Villa's attacking options shining through, while Benfica's defensive resilience and counter-attacking ability also caught the eye. The result provides Villa with a confidence boost as they prepare for the upcoming Premier League season, while Benfica will take pride in their performance, especially considering they are yet to fully gel as a unit.
Overall, the friendly encounter was a thrilling contest that highlighted the quality of both teams and set the stage for future fixtures. For Villa, the win will be a valuable confidence boost as they aim to build on this performance in their quest for success this season.