U18s: Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea

Aston Villa suffered a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in the Under-18 Premier League South on Saturday.

The Young Lions opened the scoring just before the break courtesy of Ewan Simpson and held a narrow advantage at half-time.

But the visitors levelled early in the second period through Michael Golding, with the encounter seemingly heading for a point apiece.

However, Chelsea struck twice late on to secure the spoils, Tyrique George in the 85^th minute before Louis Flower added another in injury time, inflicting defeat on Villa.

Villa showed plenty of attacking intent early on, Luka Lynch firing narrowly wide when well placed before Finley Munroe’s free-kick was saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Ted Curd.

Golding fired over the crossbar for the visitors before James Wright was quick off his line to thwart Frankie Runham.

Yet it was the home side who opened the scoring in the 44^th minute as Simpson volleyed home Munroe’s left-wing cross from 10 yards.

The lead was extinguished within eight second-half minutes as Chelsea drew level, Golding’s deflected strike from the edge of the penalty area beating the unfortunate Wright.

Kobei Moore struck the crossbar as the Young Lions threatened to retake the lead while Villa stopper Wright made a superb double save at the other end.

But it was the west London club who struck the decisive blow five minutes from time as George slotted home.

Villa searched for a leveller but the away side added a third in the 91^st minute as substitute Flower finished low past Wright.