U21s: Middlesbrough 2-3 Aston Villa

Aston Villa twice came from behind to register a 3-2 victory at Middlesbrough in their Premier League 2 clash on Monday night.

Captain Seb Revan netted the winner from the penalty spot in the 55^th minute to claim all three points after an action-packed first half at Heritage Park.

Boro opened the scoring early on courtesy of Fenton John before three goals in the space of just three minutes ensured it remained level at the interval.

Chisom Afoka equalised for the Young Lions just before the half-hour mark, only for Jeremy Sivi to fire an immediate response for the hosts and then Rory Wilson to level once again merely 60 seconds later.

Villa saw out the encounter in the second period to secure victory on the road in the north east, ensuring the Under-21s have now won six of their last seven in the league.

The hosts took the lead with just six minutes on the clock, John following up to sweep home from close range after Sivi’s initial shot had been blocked.

Villa made a positive response as they looked to get back on level terms, Sil Swinkels seeing his far-post header well saved by Boro goalkeeper Henry Popple.

Sivi drilled an effort wide for the home side midway through the first period, but it was the visitors who struck next to level matters.

Wilson saw his strike saved having been sent clean though and Afoka followed up to convert the rebound.

Middlesbrough almost regained the lead straight from kick-off as Jack Stott’s long-range effort from near the halfway line fell inches wide with Oliwier Zych stranded.

Yet parity only lasted two minutes as Sivi put Boro back in front, before the Young Lions immediately levelled again themselves, Wilson following up to convert a rebound from close range after Popple could not hold Arjan Raikhy’s powerful strike.

Zych did well to collect Sonny Finch’s strike five minutes after the restart, but it was Villa who crucially took the lead for the first time in the clash shortly afterwards.

Kadan Young was brought down in the penalty area and Revan stepped up to convert from the penalty spot.

Sivi blasted over the crossbar in the 70^th minute before substitute Isaac Fletcher sent a 20-yard free-kick off target late on as Villa held firm for all three points on their travels.