Aston Villa lost out to Crystal Palace in the Under-18 Premier League in South London on Saturday.
The match got off to the worst possible start for the visiting Villans when Paul Appiah was adjudged to have fouled Tayo Adaramola right on the edge of the box after just two minutes.
The referee pointed to the penalty spot, handing David Omilabu the opportunity to beat Oliwier Zych and give Palace the lead.
The game was nearly half an hour old when the hosts doubled their advantage, with Omilabu tapping home from close-range.
Villa needed a response and they got one on 33 minutes when Tristan Abldeen-Goodridge stabbed the ball home to cut the deficit.
It stayed at 2-1 as the sides headed in for half-time, but Palace dealt the first blow of the second half after 54 minutes.
Jack Wells-Morrison headed home at the back post as the Londoners restored their two-goal cushion.
Arjan Raikhy hit the underside of the bar as Villa looked for a way back into the game, but they were left empty-handed at the full-time whistle.
Defeat was Villa’s third in succession in the league, leaving them sixth with five games to play.
Villa: Zych, S.Revan (Reddin 83’), Hart, Swinkels, Appiah, Sylla (Bogarde 62’), T.O’Reilly, Abldeen-Goodridge, Raikhy (McBride 83’), Sewell, Young.
Unused subs: A.O’Reilly, Marschall
