U21s: Aston Villa 2-6 West Bromwich Albion

Aston Villa fell to a 6-2 defeat against West Bromwich Albion in Premier League 2 at Villa Park on Friday.

It was a tough start for Villa as they found themselves 3-0 down in the first-half after goals from Modou Faal, Zac Ashworth and Reyes Clearly.

Right-back Todd Alcock produced a moment of magic to pull one back for the home side, but West Brom were able to restore their three-goal lead through Cleary. Villa were then reduced to 10 men after goalkeeper Filip Marschall was sent off.

The Young Lions fought hard in the second half despite being shorthanded, with Declan Frith scoring to reduce the deficit, but they could not force a comeback as the game ended 6-2.

It was a nightmare start as Villa found themselves behind just one minute into the game, as Marschall could do nothing to stop Faal’s heavily deflected shot finding the net.

Ashworth’s 12th minute header made it 2-0 to the Baggies, with Cleary adding the third 10 minutes later from just inside the box.

A neat team move then ended with Alcock firing in a wonder-strike from 30 yards to bring the Young Lions back into the game in the 29th minute.

However, Cleary then netted his second to make the score 4-1, before Marschall was sent off for Villa.

Despite finding themselves behind and playing with 10 men, the Young Lions battled hard and drew first blood in the second-half, with Frith scoring from close range in the 60th minute to make it 4-2.

Substitute Jovan Malcolm then added the Baggies’ fifth with another unfortunate deflection in the 66th minute.

Not letting the scoreline deter them, Villa forged a great chance to add a third as Tommi O’Reilly brilliantly spun past three Baggies defenders to set up Ruben Shakpoke, but the forward could not find the finish. 

Ramello Mitchell scored the final goal for the away side in the closing moments.