Aston Villa pairing Darren Bent and Ashley Young guided England to a 2-1 win after falling behind in an entertaining friendly against Denmark yesterday.

A pulsating start to the game saw both teams with chances to take the lead in the first five minutes.

First, Nicklas Bendtner showed quick feet before sending a low shot wide of the right post. At the other end, Denmark defender William Kvist gifted a chance to Wayne Rooney. The Manchester United striker rounded goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen on the edge of the penalty box but was unable to find a way past a wall of retreating Danish defenders.

The host made the breakthrough after eight minutes when 18-year-old Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen found Daniel Agger with a pinpoint cross and the Liverpool defender placed a header beyond the reach of Joe Hart.

England equalised just two minutes later when Darren Bent scored a simple tap-in following fine work on the right wing from Theo Walcott.

The impressive Eriksen saw a left-footed drive cannon back off the post after 33 minutes. Another teenager, Jack Wilshire, also caught the eye with an assured performance in his defensive midfield role before being replaced at half time.

Dennis Rommedahl drew a fine save from Hart after 37 minutes. The Manchester City goalkeeper flicked out his right foot to deny the Olympiacos striker. Rommedahl was on the scoresheet when Denmark demolished England 4-1 the last time the teams met in a friendly in Copenhagen in 2005.

Frank Lampard, England's captain for the day in the absence through injury of Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard, had a wonderfully taken goal correctly disallowed for offside after 40 minutes.

Ashley Cole started the second half as captain after Lampard was substituted. The game was Cole's 87th for England, making him the country's most-capped fullback of all time.

Chances were less frequent in a second half pockmarked with substitutions. Sorensen did however have to react bravely to block Bent's close-range header after 50 minutes.

Rommedahl shot weakly after Eriksen split the English defense with a back-heel in the 65th minute.

England then avenged the 2005 defeat with a winning goal after 68 minutes. Halftime substitute Ashley Young slotted a side-footed shot past Sorensen from the edge of the penalty after the Danish defense allowed the Aston Villa too much space to pick up a simple pass from Glen Johnson.