U18s: Birmingham City 2-2 Aston Villa

Aston Villa rounded off their Under-18 Premier League South campaign with an action-packed 2-2 draw at midlands neighbours Birmingham City.

Kadan Young fired the Young Lions into a half-time lead before an own goal from goalkeeper Josh Lane levelled matters just after the hour mark.

Villa quickly retook the lead courtesy of Finley Munroe's 71st-minute penalty, but the defender put through his own net at the other end three minutes from time, ensuring the derby spoils were shared in an end-to-end encounter which saw the woodwork struck on no fewer than five occasions.

The Villans finished the 2021/22 campaign 12^th in the table.

Rico Patterson was first to strike the crossbar for the hosts befoe Chisom Afoka forced Blues goalkeeper Bradley Mayo to get down low to keep out his effort.

Villa took the lead in the 32nd minute when Omari Kellyman sent clear Young with a super throughball and he slotted home past Mayo.

Patterson fired across the face of goal, Afoka was blocked at the other end when presented with a good opening while Kyrie Pierre put wide a golden opportunity to double the visitors' advantage before the break.

Niall Rushton's cross clipped the top of the bar early in the second period before Kellyman hit the outside of the near post as Villa spurned another chance to add to their advantage.

Young and Travis Patterson were both denied by City keeper Mayo, before opposite number Lane was incredibly unfortunate to see Harry Manton's 62nd-minute strike from distance rebound off the underside of the bar, hit his trailing leg and find the net to level matters.

Yet Villa were back in front nine minutes later as Munroe sent Mayo the wrong way from the penalty spot to restore Villa's lead.

Action continued to come thick and fast at either end, Young and Patterson denied by Mayo and Lane respectively, before Blues substitute Ben Beresford hit the woodwork again for the hosts.

And Birmingham grabbed a late leveller when Ruston's goalbound effort was sent over the line by Munroe as the encounter ended honours even, with both sides having chances to win it.