Villa opened the defence of their Azzurri Premier League title with a 3-1 win over ten-man Hibernians in their clash at the new Astro-turf surface at Connors Park last night.
The hosts fell behind to a goal on nine minutes when their former player Jeff Da Silva powered a left-footed shot past keeper Craig Dunphy after Sean Duffy’s right-wing free-kick was cleared into his path.
FAI Junior Cup match winning hero Conor Kilgannon levelled matters on 31 minutes when he swept home on the edge of the penalty area after John Frederick Tamen's left-wing delivery into the area, and the second-half was just two minutes old when Cian Browne put his side in front clinically finishing past Josh Sheridan.
Luke Walsh secured the three points for his side on 75 minutes when he reacted quickest to finish to the net after Eoghan Rea’s header following an Aaron O’Connor corner was superbly kept out.
Hibernians finished the game with ten men when substitute Glenn Hawe was red carded eight minutes from time.
Elsewhere in the first round of Waterford Premier Division fixtures, Dungarvan United came from 2-0 down to defeat Carrick United 4-2 away from home. Carrick were two goals to the good early on but Toby Taylor brought Dungarvan back into proceedings - before a strike from Danny Reynolds and a brace from Kian Carey stole the three points for Colin Walsh's men.
Ferrybank also surrendered a 2-goal lead on Sunday away to Waterford Crystal. Stephen Imiren and Victor Maduweise had given them a two goal advantage but two goals in four minutes late on from Kieran Sadey and Andrew Power mustered a point for the home side.
Ballinroad and Bohemians played out a 1-1 draw, while Tramore got the better of Southend on Saturday by two goals to one.
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