Life without Christian Benteke began brightly for Aston Villa on Tuesday evening, as goals from Scott Sinclair and Jerell Sellars secured a 2-0 win over Swindon Town.
The Premier League side were in control for most of the game at the County Ground, and a goal either side of the interval did the damage.
Team news
Their was no sign of Belgian striker Benteke around the ground, as he was in London finalising a move to Liverpool, which is expected to be announced on Tuesday.
Starting with Gabriel Agbonlahor as the lone striker, Tim Sherwood handed a debut to new left-back Jordan Amavi, who completed his move from Nice last week.
In the opposite dugout, Swindon boss Mark Cooper employed a four man defence formation, a surprise considering he usually favours a three man system.
First half
Agbonlahor had the first chance of the game, leaping to meet a Leandro Bacuna cross, but could only head over the crossbar.
After something of an early lull in proceedings, Scott Sinclair was the next to strike an effort at goal, but could only drag wide from 25 yards, despite being in comfortable space.
Jonathan Obita did threaten for the home side, pinching the ball of Micah Richards in Villa's half. Looking threatening as he drove towards Jed Steer's goal, the forward took a heavy touch that just put him off balance, and he eventually sent an effort wide.
Sinclair gets the goal
Scoring his first goal for Villa since signing a permanent contract at the club this summer, Sinclair tucked a chance away to put his side ahead after 29 minutes.
Horrific defending from Swindon saw Sinclair left with an easy chance to tuck in, after they failed to deal with Alan Hutton's cross. Agbonlahor got the assist, teeing the left winger up.
This saw Villa gain momentum and take further control of the game, with Carles Gill, impressive yet again in pre-season, shoot just wide before Ashley Westwood had a free-kick saved.
Second half
There was mild concern for Villa at the start of the second period, as Gill went down with an ankle injury. Keen not to take any risks with the Spaniard, he was replaced by youngster Jerell Sellars.
Trialist Fabien Robert produced one of Swindon's better moments of the game, moving swiftly after claiming the ball, only to fire a shot narrowly over the bar.
At the other end, Richards almost made up for his earlier defensive mistake, rising highest to head just over from a corner.
The clincher for Villa
A vast amount of late substitutes from both sides had seen the game begin to peter out, but there was one more slice of action as Sellars grabbed the second goal of the game.
More comedy defending from Swindon gifted the goal to Villa, as 'keeper Jamie Stephens' attempted clearance was blocked, allowing the academy product to roll into an empty net. Game, set and match.
A huge boost
The victory won't have won fans over, but a couple of goals from attacker's will have slightly held back fears over the club's future after the imminent depature of Benteke.
It gives Villa their first victory in three pre-season games, after a loss to Fulham and goalless draw with Sporting Braga.
Next up comes Walsall, then Wolverhampton Wanderers, before Sherwood's men round up pre-season with a game against Nottingham Forest.