Aston Villa got back to winning ways courtesy of a dominant 1-0 derby victory over West Bromwich Albion in the Under-18 Premier League South on Saturday.
Tommi O'Reilly netted the only goal of the game in the 74th minute at Bodymoor Heath to hand the Young Lions a deserved three points against their midlands neighbours.
The win ended a run of three successive league defeats and saw Villa leapfrog the Baggies in the table and up into 10th place.
Villa travel to Crystal Palace next up in the U18 Premier League Cup on Saturday, November 27.
Possession
41%Shots
2Shots On Target
1Corners
3Fouls
92
0
Cards
2
0
Villa stamped their authority on the game and dominated both possession and goalscoring opportunities, Kahrel Reddin firing wide early on.
Teddy Rowe sent a free-kick narrowly over the crossbar before Dewain Sewell forced a parried save from Albion goalkeeper Ronnie Hollingshead.
O'Reilly dragged his left-footed strike wide of target having been sent clean through while Reddin also fired off target following patient, well-worked build-up play.
The hosts had created a plethora of first-half chances but it was visitors West Brom who went closest when Adriel Walker sent a smart volley against a post.
Sewell saw his second-half chance blocked by Baggies stopper Hollingshead following impressive work from O'Reilly.
And it was the Villa midfielder who had the final say in the 74th minute.
Reddin won possession in a dangerous position on the edge of the Albion penalty area only to see his right-footed strike rebound of a post; however, he reacted quickly to recycle the ball for O'Reilly, who found the net with a lofted finish to seal victory.
Aston Villa U18: Zych, Munroe, McBride, Barber, Alcock, Rowe, Hart, T O'Reilly, Afoka, Reddin, Sewell.
Subs: Pierre, Barnes, Lutz, Rhoades, Hammond.
West Brom U18: Hollingshead, Machisa, Chidi, Williams, Shaw, Richards, Heard, Love, Hurlock (Mfuamba 45'), Walker, Oliver (Higgins 45').
Subs: Hudd, N'Goma, Olofinjana.
