COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew battered a UEFA Champions League club Saturday night at Lower.com Field in a friendly.
Aston Villa came to central Ohio and fell to the Crew 4-1 in the Leagues Cup showcase friendly match. Striker Cucho Hernandez responded to his MLS All-Star Game goal on Wednesday by scoring a hat-trick in the first half for Columbus. The Villains were missing a collection of their regular starters, like goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and striker Ollie Watkins, after this summer’s international tournaments.
The Crew took the lead against the EPL side in the 14th minute as Cucho Hernandez scored his second goal in as many games. The All-Star Game scorer took a pass from Ramirez which hit off a Villa defender. The ball fell right to Cucho’s feet as he slotted it into the net.
Cucho scored a second goal in the 39th minute to continue his torrid pace in Black & Gold after garnering the MLS Player of the Month award for July. Before halftime, Aston Villa got one back in the 44th minute through 22-year-old Cameron Archer, who used some nifty dribbling to create the shot after a Crew giveaway.
But Cucho Hernandez completed his first half hat-trick seconds after Archer’s goal, guiding a left-footed shot into the back of the net.
The second half saw an unofficial debut goal from new signing Dylan Chambost from France. The former Saint-Etienne midfielder scored the Crew’s fourth goal in the 52nd after a high press inside Villa’s penalty area. This was the Crew’s 14th win over an international club outside of league or tournament play.
Columbus will have some extended time off as they await to discover their Leagues Cup knockout round opponent. The Crew will host one of Toluca, Sporting Kansas City or Chicago Fire on Aug. 9 in the round of 32. Last year, the Crew lost in the round of 32 of the Leagues Cup to Minnesota United on penalty kicks.
Aston Villa opens the EPL season on Aug. 17 against West Ham United and will play in the Champions League for the first time in the modern era.