Peterborough United were in good form for the first half an hour against Aston Villa in the latest pre-season friendly but the Premier League side showed their class in the second half as Martin O'Neill's men earned a 3-0 victory.

Aston Villa, fielded a strong side, made a decent start to the game with former Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell firing into the side-netting, but it didn't take long for Posh to create a chance at the other end, with Ben Wright heading just past the post following a good ball into the box from Paul Coutts.

Wright then showed why the management at London Road believe he has a promising future as he skipped past two defenders before unleashing a powerful drive from 25-yards, which crashed against the crossbar.

On 12 minutes, a last-gasp tackle from Nicky Shorey prevented Rene Howe from converting an excellent Tom Williams cross as Posh continued to threaten. Goalkeeper Brad Friedel then made a superb double save to deny Howe and Tommy Rowe, the second save in particular was an extremely brave effort.

However, it was the visitors who found the breakthrough as an inswinging cross from Mark Albrighton picked out Andreas WEIMANN who powered a close-range header past goalkeeper James McKeown on 25 minutes.

Craig Morgan headed a Coutts cross over the crossbar moments later as Posh tried to get back on level terms. New signing Krystian Pearce, who agreed a season-long loan from Birmingham City ahead of kick-off, headed a Coutts free-kick wide of the target on 29 minutes.

Marlon Harewood headed over on 44 minutes after a good left-wing free-kick from Shorey as an entertaining first half drew to a close.

Half-time: Peterborough United 0-1 Aston Villa

Posh made five changes at the interval with Jamie Day, Lee Frecklington, Charlie Lee, Dominic Green and Sam Gaughran the men introduced to the fray. Rowe came close to converting a deep Lee cross, but he couldn't direct the ball past Friedel.

McKeown had a bit of trouble dealing with a Shorey cross on 50 minutes, pushing the ball onto the post before diving on the loose ball as it rebounded back into the six-yard box. The visitors did extend their advantage and it was a superb demonstration of flowing passing football as Curtis DAVIES strolled out from the back, played several one-twos and after exchanging passes with Harewood, calmly stroked the ball past McKeown and into the back of the net.

Harewood wasted another glorious chance to score after a fine cross from Nigel Reo-Coker, glancing his header wide of the upright from close-range.

Boyd, who was given the captains armband for the second period, was further advanced in a 4-3-3 formation for Posh as Darren Ferguson's men tried to get back into the game.

Morgan was well-placed to clear off the goal-line after a poor back pass by Gaughran was intercepted by Weirmann who picked out the onrushing Marlon Harewood. Villa made it 3-0 on 71 minutes as midfielder Steve SIDWELL forced his way into the penalty area and slotted a neat shot past McKeown and into the back of the net.

Boyd had the chance to reduce the arrears after a glorious cross-field pass from Morgan, but the former Stevenage man couldn't keep his lob under the crossbar as it nestled on the roof of the net.

Final Score: Peterborough United 0-3 Aston Villa

Posh: McKeown, Martin (sub Lee 46min), Williams (sub Day 46min), Morgan, Pearce (sub Gaughran 46min), Diagouraga,(sub Frecklington 46min) Coutts, Howe (sub Green 46min) Wright, Boyd, Rowe. Subs: Torres, Andrew, Rendell, Crook.

Villa: Friedel (sub Parrish 80), Sidwell, Harewood (sub Collins 70min), Bannan (sub Osbourne 70min), Albrighton (sub Hosbauer 73min), Davies (sub Clark 76min), Knight (sub Lowry 60min), Reo-Coker (sub Herd 80min), Shorey (sub Lichaj 60min), Cuellar (sub Roome 80), Weimann (sub McGurk 80min).