By Aston Villa FC

Trai-Varn Mulley bagged a brace as nine-man Aston Villa fell to a late 3-2 defeat at 10-man Crystal Palace in the Under-18 Premier League South on Saturday.

A dramatic clash saw the Young Lions fall two goals behind, Asher Agbinone and Zach Marsh on target, either side of George King’s dismissal for the Eagles, before TJ Carroll was also sent off in first-half injury time for a second bookable offence.

But Mulley bagged twice in nine second-half minutes to restore parity, with Villa goalkeeper Sam Lewis saving a penalty from Marsh, as Charlie Pavey then saw red in the 68th minute to reduce the visitors to nine.

And it was the hosts who struck in the 86th minute as substitute Seb Williams inflicted defeat in an action-packed encounter in south London.

43%

Possession

57%
16

Shots

10
11

Shots On Target

5
9

Corners

6
9

Fouls

10

3

1

Cards

3

2

Agbinone fired the hosts ahead with a low strike from the edge of the penalty area after 15 minutes.

However, the first red card of the encounter came shortly after the half-hour mark as Palace defender King was given his marching orders.

Nevertheless, the Eagles doubled their advantage just before the break as Marsh converted from close range.

There was further drama to come in injury time as Carroll was shown a second yellow card and both sides were reduced to 10.

Yet the Young Lions showed plenty of spirit and character to get themselves back into the clash courtesy of Mulley’s neat finish in the 53rd minute.

Villa goalkeeper Lewis then made a crucial to save to keep out Marsh’s spot-kick, with the visitors levelling just moments later as Mulley slotted home his second of the game following a great turn from Cole Brannigan.

But the Villans were then reduced to nine men as Pavey was sent off for handball in the 68th minute.

And it was the home side who claimed the spoils late on as Williams found the net, with Villa sub George Hemmings denied a last-gasp equaliser deep into injury time by Palace ‘keeper William Eastwood.



Crystal Palace U18: Eastwood, King, Grante, Jemide, Cardines, Gibbard (Cowin 92'), Adams-Collman (Kyremeh 78'), Mustapha (Dashi 66'), Agbinone, Marsh (Williams 66'), Derry.

Subs: Khoshaba.

Aston Villa U18: Lewis, TJ Carroll, Moreland, Katsukunya, Lynch (Onuchukwu 59'), Mulley, Jimoh (Hemmings 59'), Pavey, Edwards (Timson 87'), Wilson (McDowell 71'), Brannigan.

Subs: Oakley.