David Villa nets in New York City's first match

Almost two years after being born, New York took their first baby steps on Tuesday thanks to their financial backers Manchester City, who loaned them their 7,000-seater Academy Stadium, which lies in the shadow of the Etihad.

Without Frank Lampard - who is on loan at the Premier League champions - in the squad for their first pre-season friendly, it was left to Villa to run the show and he did not disappoint.

The former Barcelona striker, 33, bamboozled St Mirren with a bag of tricks and put the newest MLS franchise ahead in the 37th minute when Chris Wingert's cross squeezed through two defenders and Villa calmly slotted the ball past St Mirren goalkeeper Marian Kello.

Villa caused havoc in the pocket between midfield and attack throughout his 45-minute appearance in east Manchester, which was attended by approximately 2,000 fans.

The only disappointment for the former World Cup winner was watching James Goodwin nutmeg him a few seconds after he had first poked the ball through the legs of the 33-year-old former Republic of Ireland midfielder.

After Villa was withdrawn at half-time - along with eight more of his team-mates, New York struggled to find much creativity but Tony Taylor added a second following a long punt forward from Kwame Watson-Siriboe.

Lampard was unable to watch his future team-mates in action as he spent Tuesday evening with his current team-mates in Stoke ahead of their match against the Potters.

Last month, Lampard's move to New York was delayed until the summer, much to the dismay of fans of the MLS club.

New York will play a friendly against Brondby at City's academy ground on Sunday before they return to America ahead of the MLS season, which begins next month.