ASTON Villa twice needed the woodwork to save them before they could claim victory in Monday night's Steve Brown testimonial.

The Premiership giants got home with a goal in each half from former England striker Kevin Phillips and Peter Whittingham.

But they rode their luck before they could claim the win.

Clint Easton shook the Villa post in the first half after muscling his way past any would-be-challengers and then Mike Williamson cannoned a header against the crossbar.

Wanderers boss John Gorman said: "It was another very encouraging performance. We were bright and sharp and thoroughly deserved to get a result."

It was Blues' fifth pre-season game and there was plenty to encourage the fans.

Easton looked a class act at left back, while up front Nathan Tyson and Tommy Mooney showed flashes of what threatens to be an exciting partnership.

Gorman said: "They looked a real pair up front while Kevin Betsy was always causing problems."

Ian Stonebridge also impressed and went close to what would have been a wonder goal after cutting in from the left and unleashing a shot which fizzed just wide.

Youth team prospect Ikechi Anya also dazzled. The substitute nutmegged England international Gareth Barry and was always looking to take on Villa's big names.

Gorman said: "I remember Barry coming into the England squad when he was 17 now he knows what it is like to be put under pressure by a youngster."

The game was a testimonial for assistant manager Brown who played the first 30 minutes at centre half before being substituted but there were no favours on the pitch as both teams used it as serious preparation for the season.

Villa took just three minutes to show their intent with Patrik Berger's left footer going just wide.

But Wycombe responded almost immediately with Easton's effort. He won the tackle on the edge of the box before smashing a shot which shook the post before hitting beaten Danish international keeper Thomas Sorensen on the shoulder and going out for a corner.

The action continued unabated. Lee Hendrie curled just over the top for Villa and then Russell Martin, who played at left and right back, cleared off the line from the same player.

Blues' keeper Frank Talia twice denied Colombian international Juan Pablo Angel but he could do nothing about Villa's opener.

Man of the match Gavin McCann played a brilliant ball over the top for Phillips to chase and the former Sunderland and Southampton striker let it bounce once before lifting the ball over the stranded Talia.

Wycombe should have levelled before half time when Stuart Nethercott headed Stefan Oakes' corner over.

Both sides made multiple substitutions at half time and Darius Vassell, one of seven Villa changes, was denied a goal straight from the restart by Talia.

Blues also had their chances. Jonny Dixon volleyed straight at the keeper after Tyson's deep cross picked him out and Matt Bloomfield hit the keeper with a first time shot after Danny Senda found him.

Blues paid for the missed chances when Nolberto Solano and Uli De La Cruz combined down the left to set up Whittingham for Villa's second through Talia's legs on 66 minutes.

Former Wycombe loanee Luke Moore should have made it three when he rounded Talia but he only found the side netting.

The place slowed in the final 20 minutes and Blues almost halved the deficit on 87 minutes when Dixon's acrobatic effort was tipped over the bar after Williamson's header came back off the bar.

Wycombe: Talia (Williams 79), Martin, Easton (Senda 46), Oakes (Lee 46), Nethercott (Johnson 46), Brown (Williamson 32), Betsy (Stonebridge 46), Burnell (Dixon 46), Mooney (Griffin 46), Bloomfield.

Villa: Sorensen (Taylor 46), Hughes (Moore 62), Samuel (Barry 46), McCann (Berson 69), Laursan (Ridgewell 46), Cahill, Davis (Whittingham 46), Phillips (Vassell 46), Angel (De La Cruz 62), Berger (Djemba-Djemba 46), Hendrie (Solano 46).

Scorers: Phillips 28, Whittingham 66.

Attendance: 3,305 (Villa 806).

Wycombe 0 Aston Villa 2