By Aston Villa FC

Aston Villa Under-23s lost their first game of 2022 on Monday afternoon, falling to defeat against Middlesbrough in Premier League 2.

The visitors went ahead following the award of a very dubious penalty after 20 minutes, with Calum Kavanagh converting.

Boro’s number nine was denied time and again by the brilliance of Filip Marschall before he eventually doubled the lead on 66 minutes.

Finley Thorndike belted a low drive past the ‘keeper to inspire a late rally from the hosts, but they fell just short in their attempts to force a leveller.

Under-23s take on Middlesbrough.

Villa’s starting XI included Louie Barry, Brad Young and Arjan Raikhy, with all three having recently returned to the club following loan spells at Ipswich Town, Carlisle United and Stockport County respectively.

Young and Barry showed the chemistry that helped them fire the club to the FA Youth Cup last season, linking up well before the latter was crowded out in the box as he looked to put the hosts in front after 12 minutes.

Middlesbrough started the game second bottom in PL2 but they were causing Villa problems, firing a warning when captain Isaac Fletcher broke through and forced Filip Marschall into a smart stop with his feet.

However, the visitors were very fortunate to be awarded a penalty after 20 minutes when Jack Scott went down with no claret shirt within touching distance of him, leaving the home bench and fans to look on in disbelief.

56%

Possession

44%
12

Shots

14
4

Shots On Target

11
4

Corners

8
9

Fouls

12

2

0

Cards

2

0

Kavanagh stepped up and his drilled penalty narrowly evaded Marschall before nestling in the middle of the goal.

The hosts responded well and a set piece almost provided the equaliser when Sil Swinkels planted a header against the post, but they headed back to the changing rooms for half-time down by a goal.

A slow start to the second half was soon ended when Boro burst into life, with Marschall coming to his side’s rescue three times in seven minutes.

The goalkeeper denied Fletcher when the striker took aim from outside the box before thwarting Kavanagh from close-range after Villa were caught in possession.

Under-23s take on Middlesbrough.

The best save of the bunch saw the young stopper get down to palm Kavanagh’s placed effort around the post, with the away side waiting for the net to bulge.

However, Marschall could do nothing to prevent Boro doubling their lead after 66 minutes when a well-worked move ended with Kavanagh taking the ball round him and slotting into an empty net.

Villa were struggling to breakdown a stubborn Middlesbrough backline, and you could feel the frustration when Thorndike hammered home a shot from outside the box to pull a goal back with eight minutes left.

Hayden Lindley saw a free-kick turned round the post and Villa threw bodies forward, but they ran out of time as Middlesbrough held on for the win.



Aston Villa U23: Marschall, Feeney, Swinkels, Ealing (Chrisene 67'), Barber, Raikhy (Hart 52'), Lindley, Thorndike, Abldeen-Goodridge, Young (Caleb Chukwuemeka 60'), Barry

Subs: Chrisene, Hart, Caleb Chukwuemeka, Tommi O'Reilly, Wright

Middlesbrough U23: Swann, Bridge (Finch 75'), Sykes, Gitau, Simpson (Collins 78'), Malley, Stott (John 45'), Beals, Fletcher, Willis, Kavanagh

Subs: Finch, Dijksteel, Popple, John, Collins