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Aston Villa stun Juventus to win Peace Cup

Monday, August 03, 2009::SEVILLE, Spain: Aston Villa overcame Italian giants Juventus to win the Peace Cup on penalties on Sunday after both sides had failed to score at the end of extra time.

The Italians, who beat Real Madrid 2-1 in Friday's semi-final, put Martin O'Neill's up-and-coming team under intense pressure in a fast-paced game, played in the southern Spanish city of Seville, in which both sides failed to convert a host of chances.

In the end, Carlos Cuellar scored for Villa while Nicola Legrottaglie missed the last spot-kick to give the English Premier League side a 4-3 win on penalties.

Villa keeper Brad Guzan stopped a lame shot from Italian legend Alessandro del Piero and also saved from Vincenzo Iaquinta while Steve Sidwell and Chris Herd failed to score their penalties for Villa.

The Premier League side were without England striker Emile Heskey who was suspended after picking up a red card in the 2-1 semi-final win over Porto.

Juve, who finished runners-up to Inter Milan in Serie A last season, started the game with veterans Del Piero and Fabio Cannavaro on the bench.

The teams were evenly matched in the first half.

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