Villa were comprehensively beaten by Italian Serie A Side Fiorentina on Sunday night in the Gotham Cup Final at the Giants Stadium in New York.

A two goal blast by Argentinean ace Gabriel Batistuta either side of the break did the damage, while Villa's Dion Dublin missed a first half penalty.

STARTING LINE-UPS Villa (3-5-2): James, Watson, Wright, Ehiogu, Barry, Southgate (c), Taylor, Boateng, Thompson, Dublin, Joachim Subs: Oakes, Merson, Draper, Stone, Hendrie, Calderwood, Delaney.
Fiorentina: Toldo, Repka, Bettarini, Padalino, Pierini, Rossitto, Di Livio, Rui Costa, Mijatovic, Batistuta, Chiesa. att: 25,576
FINAL SCORE VILLA 0 Dublin missed penalty, 39 FIORENTINA 4 Batistuta, pen (36), (48) Mijatovic (16) Rui Costa (87)

Mijatovic opened Fiorentina's account in the 19th minute after Batistuta carved out the opportunity for the Yugoslav ace. Villa went further behind in the 36th minute when skipper Gareth Southgate hauled down Argentinean striker Batistuta in the box leaving the ace marksman to confidently convert from the spot. Villa then missed a golden opportunity to reduce the arrears, but striker Dion Dublin failed to beat Toldo from the penalty spot after Padalino handled. The Italians wrapped the game, and the tournament, up with two second half strikes. Batistuta made it three just after the break with a fine finish and Rui Costa converted with three minutes to go following a counter-attack led by substitute Balbo.
(c) Aston Villa F.C http://www.avfc.co.uk