By Aston Villa FC

Aston Villa fell to a 6-3 defeat in a nine-goal thriller at West Ham United in the Under-18 Premier League.

The visitors opened an early two-goal advantage courtesy of Rory Wilson and Ben Broggio although the Hammers hit back to level matters before the break.

And the hosts established a 5-2 lead before Villa reduced the arrears with Wilson’s 88th-minute penalty, with West Ham netting again in injury time.

The breathless encounter leaves the Young Lions with one win, one draw and two defeats from their opening four league matches.

35%

Possession

65%
14

Shots

4
12

Shots On Target

3
2

Corners

1
6

Fouls

5

0

0

Cards

1

0

Wilson pounced with a neat turn and finish to convert the game’s opening goal after seven minutes as the home side failed to clear a corner.

And Broggio made it 2-0 just four minutes later, collecting the ball, rounding goalkeeper Mason Terry and slotting home after Luka Lynch had capitalised on some slack defending from the hosts.

But United were back in it almost straight from kick-off as Lewis Orford drilled home, before Kaelan Casey nodded home to make it 2-2 in the 35th minute.

James Wright made a superb one-handed save to keep out Orford’s header before the break, while Kyrie Pierre sent an effort wide when well placed at the other end.

And it was Orford who made it 3-2 at the start of the second half, Billy Bates duly adding a fourth from close range in the 50th minute.

Wright was at it again to keep out Asher Falase with another fine parried save, before Gideon Kodua added a fifth for the Hammers in the 67th minute.

Wilson pulled one back from the penalty spot for Villa late on after substitute Kadan Young was upended, but there was still time for West Ham to add a sixth late on courtesy of Blaise Uwandji.

West Ham U18: Terry, Casey, Bates (Fawunmi 65'), Falase, Jones (Uwandji 81'), Battrum, Kelly, Orford, Akpata (Briggs 74'), Kodua (Umolu 81'), Rigge.

Subs: Abraham.

Aston Villa U18: Wright, Barber (Onuchukwu 70'), Duerden, Rowe, Katsukunya (Timson 59'), Pierre (Young 45'), Simpson, Broggio, Lynch, Barnes (Pavey 59'), Wilson.

Subs: Lewis.