ASTON Villa brought a star-studded team of legends to The Causeway on Sunday to take on the old boys of Rank Outsiders.

It ended up with a rugby score – Villa triumphing 14-5!

The Villa midfield featured all-time greats Gordon Cowans, Steve Staunton and Tony Morley, alongside Mark Kinsella – who was still playing in the Premiership in 2003.

Behind them were two rugged central defenders, Ken McNaught and Shaun Teale, plus Colin Gibson, best known as a full-back with Manchester United.

Villa raced into a 4-0 lead, but Kevin Peck pulled one back with a back post header at a corner.

Villa scored again, but Ranks responded with their best spell of the game, hitting three goals in five minutes.

Chris Jackson and Alistair Harper (2) got on the scoresheet.

Villa netted a sixth before half-time, but their manager Chris Nicholl was not a happy man.

It was all Villa in the second period as they turned on the style with three goals in as many minutes.

At least Martin East will always be able to tell his grandchildren he scored a goal for Aston Villa, after putting the ball into his own net.

Villa ran away with the game but Ranks hit a fifth through their man of the match Steve Belfitt, who beat keeper Roger Tye with an exquisite lob.

Ranks keeper Colin Gwilliam – outstanding in the first-half – just failed to keep out a Tony Morley penalty.

Ranks secretary Richard Bennett said: "Villa fielded a superb team.

"After the game Colin Gibson gave a special award to our player Ivor Morgan, who was retiring, and praised the way we played.

"He said it was nice to play on a good pitch against bona-fide veterans who do not want to kick you to kingdom come. "They've already told us they want to come back again next year."