Villa's U18s suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Newcastle United in the Barclays U18 Premier League.

Jordan Graham got the goal for Villa but it wasn't enough to give the Young Lions a share of the spoils.

Graham gave the visitors the lead on 34 minutes when he raced down the left wing and into the Newcastle box before producing a neat finish across the keeper.

Villa came close to a quick second when Daniel O'Brien's low 20-yard shot was parried to safety.

But seven minutes after the break Alex Gilliead equalised with a header for Newcastle.

Then, in the 70th minute, Liam Smith's corner found Alex Kitchen who rose highest to head the Magpies in front.

Villa thought they had levelled late on when substitute Henry Cowans met O'Brien's cross and slotted into an empty net, only for the linesman to raise an offside flag.

VILLA: Hill, Lyden, Lewis, Melvin, Watkins-Clark, Toner, O'Brien, Crowley, Grealish, Ward, Graham. Subs: Stevenson [for Lewis, 83], Barrett, Williams [for Graham, 65], Nelson [for O'Brien, 78], Cowans.