[andy villa]

A Luke Moore hat-trick helped Aston Villa to a hard-fought 4-2 victory over tenacious MLS outfit Toronto FC on Wednesday.

Villa's hosts fancied their chances of pulling off a stirring comeback before the visitors came out on top at BMO field.

Martin O'Neill's team were 2-0 up at half-time thanks to Moore's 11th-minute opener - following a pass from Ashley Young - and then his second shortly afterwards, a tap-in after Marlon Harewood's shot had been blocked by the home goalkeeper David Monsalve.

Toronto felt a shot by Maurice Edu might have been blocked by a defender's hand - but no penalty was given; then Danny Dichio's goal was disallowed for a debatable offside.

Carl Robinson also went close for the hosts just before half-time, but Toronto did get one back when defender Todd Dunivant was on the mark.

The Reds were then level in the 62nd minute - soon after having another 'goal' disallowed for offside.

Striker Andrea Lombardo, on as a half-time substitute for Dichio, got on the scoresheet after collecting a rebound off a Villa defender and beating goalkeeper Stuart Taylor.

O'Neill made a number of second-half substitutions, with new signing Nigel Reo-Coker making his debut on 70 minutes.

It was another substitute, Norwegian forward John Carew, who put Villa back in front - converting a Gabriel Agbonlahor corner with a neat side-foot - although there was again a suspicion of offside.

Villa continued to control play into stoppage time, and Moore scored his third when he tapped in from a low cross.

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decent run out and nice to see luke score and force his way into the managers plans...