Aston Villa prepare for Leeds United with Villa Park friendly as Steven Gerrard experiments

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Aston Villa continued their preparations for the return of the Premier League with a convincing 3-1 win over Molde.

Steven Gerrard's side made it back-to-back wins in behind-closed-doors friendlies at Villa Park this week after defeating Brentford 2-1 in midweek.

Molde were well beaten thanks to a rampant first 45 minutes which saw Jacob Ramsey, John McGinn and Ollie Watkins all find the net.

Villa led 3-0 at half-time, with Molde grabbing a consolation at the beginning of the second period through Kristoffer Haugen.

Steven Gerrard sprung a few surprises for Aston Villa's friendly with Molde today.

The Villans faced off against the Norwegian club in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Villa Park in a game which kicked off at 1pm.

Gerrard is trying to keep his players fresh ahead of their return to Premier League action against Leeds United in midweek after two weeks without a fixture.

Most Premier League clubs are in FA Cup action this weekend but Villa exited the competition at the third round stage to Manchester United last month.

Villa defeated a weakened Brentford side 2-1 in a friendly earlier this week.

Aston Villa youngster Cameron Archer popped up with another decisive goal for loan club Preston North End on Saturday.

The 20-year-old striker has been in red-hot form this season since returning to Villa Park from a loan spell at local side Solihull Moors.

He netted a hat-trick in the Carabao Cup win over Barrow in August and followed it up with a stunning header in Villa’s defeat to Chelsea in the third round.

Archer was handed three substitute appearances in the Premier League by former Villa boss Dean Smith, but he wasn’t able to force his way into Steven Gerrard’s