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Middlesbrough FC made it back-to-back pre-season wins after an excellent 3-1 win at Championship new boys Aston Villa.

Boro went into the break behind after a subdued first-half display, with Nathan Baker nodding Villa into a deserved lead.

But it was a formidable second half performance by Boro, with Alvaro Negredo, Viktor Fischer and substitute Jordan Rhodes all on target for Aitor Karanka's men.

Negredo's close-range finish brought Boro level after Fischer's low shot was only parried, before the Danish international got himself on the scoresheet after a cutting counter-attacking move.

And Rhodes took his pre-season tally to five only seconds after coming off the bench, as Boro secured a morale-boosting win.

Here's how three of Boro's new signings fared:

Victor Valdes

All eyes were on the Boro teamsheet ahead of the game, with the goalkeeping position perhaps the most intriguing following the signing of Brad Guzan on Thursday.

Victor Valdes got the nod, after only previously playing 45 minutes of Boro's pre-season campaign and managing only 10 appearances in total since March 2014.

The ex-Barcelona stopper started a tad nervously as an early kick sailed straight of play, but he followed that up with a smart save down to his right to deny Jordan Ayew - a morale-booster for any keeper.

But Villa were in front from the resulting corner as Leandro Bacuna's simple cross from the left sailed over his head - and Nathan Baker rose highest at the back post to nod home.

The 34-year-old was kept busy throughout, with Gary Gardner stinging his palms with a 25-yard drive before he was forced to smother a teasing Alan Hutton delivery, but it was a fairly routine first half for a player of Valdes' credentials.

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Another kick was skewed in the early stages of the second half, and on 73 minutes he was forced to race off his line and make an acrobatic clearance as Dael Fry was under threat.

But he'll be pleased with his overall contribution at Villa Park.

Viktor Fischer

Boro's man of the match by some distance, coming away with a goal and an assist. That'll do him the world of good.

Started the game very brightly with a couple of raids forward, and kept Villa's defenders guessing when swapping positions with Downing.

It was on the wing, cutting inside on his right foot, where the Danish international looked most threatening - but was on the receiving end of a bruising tackle from Tommy Elphick and faded.

Villa got plenty of joy down the right, and Fischer was twice caught napping as full-back Alan Hutton got beyond him on the overlap - and Boro had Valdes to thank for sparing their blushes.

In the second half, Fischer drifted into the middle and let an early effort go - but it was deflected wide as Boro recorded their first shot of the match.

But his telling contribution came as Boro levelled in the second half as he drifted into space, and fizzed a shot towards goal which was too hot to handle for Pierluigi Gollini.

That allowed Negredo to pounce - and he took centre stage again on 75 minutes as he fired Boro in front.

It was a clinical counter-attacking move as Negredo fed Fischer on the left, and it was a smart right-footed finish into the corner for the 22-year-old.

It was just reward for an excellent display overall. He's given Karanka food for thought ahead of Wednesday's trip to Udinese.

Alvaro Negredo

Another start, and another goal for Boro's big-name summer signing. You can't argue with that!

As Boro toiled at Villa Park, Negredo reacted quickest when Viktor Fischer's low effort was only parried by keeper Pierluigi Gollini and slotted home the rebound.

That will do his confidence no harm, and he's proved his predatory instincts by finding himself in the right place at the right time.

But he didn't have it all his own way, and cut a frustrated figure for large spells.

Negredo got his first opening on nine minutes as Albert Adomah fed him from the right, but on the spin, the ball got stuck between his feet and the chance went begging.

But despite minimal service in the first half, he showed an admirable willingness to drop deep and start moves - floating one wonderful ball over the top for Albert Adomah which was just too strong for the Ghanaian.

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It wasn't just in the final third where the Spanish international's aerial ability was handy either, as he tracked back and made a crucial clearance from a Villa corner at the beginning of the second half.

His best display in pre-season yet, and some valuable minutes under his belt.