WANDERERS' pre-season received a massive boost after they held Premier League giants Aston Villa to a 2-2 draw at Adams Park.

Blues went ahead twice in the first half through a freak Marvin McCoy goal and a close range header from Leon Johnson.

But the visitors responded with Matthew Lowton’s first half equalisier and a fine free kick from Ashley Westwood early in the second period.

With two pre-season games still to play, no test will come bigger for Gareth Ainsworth’s men than the challenge posed by the Birmingham team and their millionaire stars.

Former Wanderers boss Paul Lambert was back in Bucks as Villa’s superstars arrived at Adams Park fielding a full-stength side minus top scorer Christian Benteke, who signed a new deal just yesterday.

Lambert famously led Blues to a memorable League Cup semi final and took them into the League Two play offs in his first managerial job in English football.

Ainsworth said in his programme notes Villa’s visit would be “testing and inspiring”, with the latter proving especially true, with Blues providing a tough obstacle for Lambert’s men.

Blues took to the field in their bold new orange change strip – a Barcelona-esque design unveiled before the game.

Villa threatened early, with the Blues’ defence scrambling away Andy Weimann’s searching low cross after just two minutes.

Weimann found himself clear once more, firing in a low shot which skidded wide - watched all the way by keeper Matt Ingram.

McCoy surprised even himself when his deflected cross found its way over the head of the hapless Brad Guzan to drop in off the post after ten minutes and give Wanderers a shock lead.

The away support kept up their vigil of applauding in the 19th minute in support of captain Stiliyan Petrov, currently battling leukaemia.

And the Premier League outfit responded, Lowton rising to nod in Villa’s equaliser after Sam Wood floored Weimann to give the visitors a free kick on the corner of the box.

Charles Dunne won a corner after a tussle with Ron Vlaar on half and hour, with former Villa man Jon-Paul Pittman’s clever flick on from the resulting corner presenting Johnson a point blank header to fire Blues back in front.

Buoyed by their second, Wanderers pressed along the flanks with Dean Morgan and Dunne working the top-flight defence hard as half time approached.

New signing Paris Cowan-Hall darted tirelessly along the right flank but his crosses met with an empty box on several occasions.

And a robust display from Blues’ back four neutralised much of Villa’s threat in a frustrating first half for the visitors.

Villa came out the brighter after the break, but Ingram and his back line held firm after a flurry of crosses.

However it didn’t take long for the visitors to restore the balance, as Ashley Westwood stepped up to fire a low free kick passed the outstretched Ingram.

Matt Spring tried the same ten minutes later, but his low free kick was easily gathered by Guzan.

Lambert rang the changes after an hour, bringing on his entire subs bench for the remaining minutes.

But Wanderers didn’t succumb, pushing forward and going close through Dunne’s twenty yard drive, which was deflected just wide.

And Max Kretzschmar followed up soon after with a piledriver of a half volley, requiring a fine save from Villa stopper Guzan.

Blues penalty hero Charlie Horlock was given the nod between the sticks with a little over ten minutes to go, after stopping a spot kick against Havant and Waterlooville to secure victory earlier this month.

And Wanderers held firm, dealing with some late Villa pressure to pull off a surprise draw.

With less high profile opposition awaiting in Blues’ final two pre-season games, Ainsworth will be hoping his players can carry this positive display forward into their first league test against Morecombe on August 3.