U21s: Aston Villa 1-0 Stoke City

Omari Kellyman’s superb strike saw off Stoke City in Premier League 2 at Bodymoor Heath on Friday night.

The winger’s first-time finish from outside the box arrowed into the top corner after 63 minutes to win the tie for the Young Lions.

Stoke more than played their part in an entertaining contest, striking the frame of the goal three times.

But victory extended Villa’s fine league form, notching up a fifth consecutive win in PL2.

The two sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw when they met in the reverse fixture in September, and they were evenly matched in the opening stages.

A short goal kick from Oliwier Zych sparked Villa’s first attack of note, with Aaron O’Reilly feeding Hayden Lindley before the midfielder set Rory Wilson away with an incisive through ball.

The offside flag stayed down but the Scottish striker sent his driven effort across goal and wide of the far post.

Kahrel Reddin, a former Villa player, scored against his old side earlier in the season and he came close to doing so again when he dragged a low shot narrowly wide after 23 minutes.

City grew into the match as the half wore on and they carved out a fantastic chance for Liam McCarron, who somehow failed to hit the target with an unimpeded shot from inside the box.

Tenacious work from Lindley set Villa on the front when he won in possession on the halfway line, and the ball was quickly worked to the edge of the box where Chisom Afoka tested Tommy Simkin with a fierce drive.

Villa fans have seen Douglas Luiz score direct from a corner twice this season, and those at Bodymoor saw Ben Kershaw’s inswinging set-piece strike the crossbar just before the break.

The second half continued in the same vein as the first, with chances hard to come by for both teams.

Nathan Lowe sliced a shot wide for the Potters before they mounted a spell of pressure that saw Josh Roney’s header hit the post.

The visitors struck the frame of the goal once again soon after when Dara McGuinness flicked McCarron’s cross onto the bar.

Stoke were made to pay for those missed chances on 63 minutes. Firth held the ball up and broke into the box before rolling the ball back to a waiting Kellyman, who placed an effort into the top corner from outside the area.

Falling behind took its toll on the away side before they eventually began to venture forward in search of an equaliser, coming close when McGuinness’ shot skimmed the post.

A marauding Seb Revan ran from inside his own half to the edge of Stoke’s penalty area before sending a shot over the bar as Villa looked to bag a second, but one goal was enough to secure all three points.