U21s: Norwich City 1-3 Aston Villa

Aston Villa produced a clinical performance to take all three points against Norwich City in Premier League 2 on Friday night.

A rocket from Chisom Afoka got the visitors off to the perfect start after nine minutes but they were pegged back later in the half by Harry Brooke’s close-range effort.

The Young Lions responded superbly and were back in front before half-time when Aaron O’Reilly belted a shot past the ‘keeper.

An assured second-half display either side of Travis Patterson’s slick finish ensured Villa returned home with a win.

The teams started the game separated by only one place and three points as the race for a play-off spot heated up, with Villa below fourth-place Norwich.

A couple of counter attacks from the hosts threatened to produce a goal before the Young Lions snatched the lead with a spectacular effort after nine minutes.

Afoka picked the ball up on the left-hand side of the box and took a touch to set himself before firing an unstoppable right-footed shot into the top corner.

Aside from a routine save for Oliwier Zych, Villa were good value for their lead up until the Canaries struck back on 33 minutes.

Tenacious work from Kenneth Aboh saw the winger reach the byline before pulling the ball back to the penalty spot, where Brooke was on hand to stab home the loose ball.

Villa’s response was swift and emphatic, with the away side retaking the lead seven minutes later when O’Reilly thrashed a shot past Joe Rose at the back post after collecting Kadan Young’s cross.

A hard-fought start to the second half saw the ball bogged down in midfield with neither side creating a chance of note.

However, that all changed on the hour mark when a ball up to Afoka deflected into the path of Patterson, who coolly side-footed past the ‘keeper from the edge of the box.

Villa’s third of the night dealt a hammer blow to the team in yellow, with the hosts struggling to contain their opponents as they knocked the ball around confidently from side-to-side.

Zych saved easily from Bradley Hills’ free-kick and saw Joe Duffy flash a header just wide of his far post as Norwich pushed forward late on.

But the 'keeper was otherwise untroubled as Villa saw it through to the final whistle.