U18s: Aston Villa 1-1 Birmingham City

Aston Villa rounded off 2021 with a 1-1 draw against Birmingham City in the Under-18 Premier League South on Saturday.

Oliwier Zych saved a penalty from Jobe Bellingham before Kahrel Reddin opened the scoring for the Young Lions just after the half-hour mark at Bodymoor Heath.

Yet a 69^th-minute leveller from Bellingham ensured an end-to-end midlands derby finished a point apiece.

Villa, who sit in 10^th place heading into the new year, are next in action against league leaders Chelsea on Saturday, January 8.

Both sides sent efforts off target before Zych came to Villa’s rescue, saving a penalty from Bellingham as the Blues forward put the subsequent rebound wide.

Zych had to be alert again to palm away a free-kick to safety before the hosts opened the scoring in the 32^nd minute.

Chisom Afoka won possession 25 yards from goal, played it out wide to Dewain Sewell on the left and he crossed for Reddin to slot home from close range.

Half-chances were coming at both ends during a free-flowing encounter, although it was Villa who held the upper hand at the break.

Zych saved well from Ifeoluwa Oni following the restart, but the visitors levelled on the counter-attack midway through the second period.

Oni crossing for an unmarked Rico Patterson at the far post and he headed back across goal for Bellingham to convert via the inside of a post.

Villa substitute Kadan Young forced goalkeeper Alfie Brooks into a save as the home side looked to secure all three points, while Zych denied Blues sub Harley Hamilton at the other end.

There were frantic goalmouth scrambles in either penalty area as both sides pushed for a late winner, but the hard-fought derby encounter finished all square.