The Premier League side went ahead through John Carew before second-half goals from Jan Kovacs, Lenell John-Lewis and Ben Wright saw the Imps claim a notable pre-season win.

Carew opened the scoring after five minutes when new signing Steve Sidwell robbed a hesitant Frank Sinclair and the Norway striker slotted past Imps goalkeeper Rob Burch.

The hosts looked for a speedy response with Wright and John-Lewis both coming close with headers.

Sidwell, who joined Villa from Reading for around £5million, then saw a low shot clip the post before Burch saved well from Gabriel Agbonlahor and Carew.

However, the hosts levelled after 53 minutes when Kovacs powered home a free-kick from Stefan Oakes.

Then the Imps took a two-goal lead inside 60 seconds.

Firstly John-Lewis powered a header into the goal in the 75th minute and then straight from the kick-off a through-ball found Wright who calmly slotted past Stuart Taylor.