Louie Barry bagged a dramatic 93rd-minute winner to seal a thrilling 4-3 triumph over Reading and book Aston Villa’s place in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.
The Young Lions looked on course to book their safe passage as Brad Young’s brace handed the visitors a 3-1 lead with 14 minutes remaining.
Yet the Royals struck twice in the space of three minutes to level matters, before Barry slotted home the winner from a corner to spark wild scenes among the visitors at the Madejski Stadium.
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Villa, who also knocked out the Royals in 2019, are three-time winners of the prestigious youth competition.
Carney Chukwuemeka had quickly cancelled out Nahum Melvin-Lambert’s opener for the hosts to level matters after 22 minutes.
Young then coolly netted his first of the night from the penalty spot, coming after the hosts were penalised for handball, to hand Villa a deserved half-time advantage.
Barry sent two efforts narrowly off target following the restart as Villa continued to press.
And they secured a two-goal advantage courtesy of the in-form Young, who bagged his eighth goal of the season with a well-taken finish in the 68th minute.
However, Reading struck back and two quickfire goals from Jahmari Clarke, heading home from a corner, and Jordan Hamilton-Olise, who slotted home when in space, drew the two sides level with 11 minutes to go.
Young hit a post following up a long-range effort from Kaine Kesler before Barry settled a enthralling tie in injury time when he fired home with a smart finish from six yards.
Villa reached the fourth round of last year’s competition before bowing out to eventual champions Manchester City and they will now be looking to go better this time around.
Villa: Marschall, Kesler, Appiah (c), Bogarde (Sylla 90+5), S Revan (Chrisene 77), Chukwuemeka, Lindley (Swinkels 69), A Ramsey, Raikhy, Young, Barry.
Subs: Zych, T Rowe, Afoka, Sewell.
