Aston Villa-linked Super Eagles star auditions at Villa Park 

Samuel Chukwueze showed Aston Villa fans what he's about as Villarreal faced the Premier League club in a mid-season friendly at Villa Park on Thursday night. 

Aston Villa hold a concrete interest in signing the Nigeria international in the January transfer window in what could be a reunion between the winger and Unai Emery, who coached him at Villarreal before taking over the managerial position at Villa Park last October. 

Villarreal boss Quique Setien fielded a strong starting lineup, handing starts to Chukwueze and another Nigerian-born player in Arnaut Danjuma, with both players named in attack along with Gerard Moreno.

In a cagey first half with few scoring chances, Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen produced a brilliant save to deny Chukwueze before the break but it would not have counted anyway as the Nigerian was offside in the buildup.

Earlier, Gerard had the ball in the back of the net but the goal was disallowed for offside. 

Setien made six changes midway through the second half, one of which saw Chukwueze replaced. 

Thirteen minutes from time, Etienne Capoue, a familiar face to Aston Villa fans due to his past connection with Tottenham Hotspur and Watford, netted the game-winning goal with a low effort after a defensive error. 

Chukwueze played 94 matches with Emery in the Villarreal dugout, scoring 14 goals and providing 15 assists. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com