Aston Villa suffered a 4-2 defeat to Charlton Athletic in their EFL Trophy Southern Section encounter at The Valley.
In a game of two halves, the Young Lions found themselves up against it in the first period as their strong League One opponents opened up a four-goal lead at the interval.
Charlie Kirk made the breakthrough for the hosts after just four minutes before Miles Leaburn doubled their advantage from the penalty spot, Louie Watson added a third and Leaburn bagged his second of the night in injury time.
But Villa’s spirited Under-21s looked a different proposition after the break and, after Tommi O’Reilly saw his penalty clip the crossbar, Kobei Moore reduced the deficit in the 73rd minute before substitute Todd Alcock found the net direct from a corner to make it 4-2 in south-east London.
Defeat to the Addicks leaves Inigo Idiakez’s side on two points in Group B with a trip to Crawley Town remaining.
Charlton went into the tie mid-table in League One and unbeaten in five matches.
And it was the home side who opened the scoring early on as Scott Fraser clipped a ball to the far post and Kirk slotted past Filip Marschall.
The Villa goalkeeper produced a strong one-handed save in the 17th minute as he got down quickly to keep out Tyreece Campbell’s 20-yard strike.
Charlton doubled their lead just before the half-hour mark as Leaburn was upended by Kerr Smith in the penalty area, and he picked himself up to slot home from the spot.
The hosts made it 3-0 shortly afterwards as Watson received the ball just inside the area, turned to create space and slotted past Marschall.
And the Addicks added a fourth in first half injury time as Leaburn converted his second of the tie.
Villa started the second half on the front foot and Rico Richards' strike was tipped around a post by Ashley Maynard-Brewer.
The Young Lions were handed a lifeline in the 50th minute after Smith was fouled in the area, but O’Reilly saw his spot-kick clip the crossbar and fly over.
Alcock, Finley Munroe and Ben Broggio were introduced just before the hour, with Charlton captain Fraser almost finding the net soon after with an audacious effort from near the halfway line.
But Villa deservedly got themselves on the scoresheet with 17 minutes remaining as Moore made it 4-1.
And they soon halved Charlton’s advantage when Alcock saw his corner fly over Maynard-Brewer and nestle in the far corner.
Munroe tested the Addicks ‘keeper as Villa threatened further reward, but it was the hosts who emerged victorious.
Villa: Marschall, Ealing, Feeney (O’Reilly 84), Smith, Chrisene (Munroe 55), Iroegbunam (Alcock 59), Pierre (Broggio 59), T O’Reilly, Rowe (Borland 74), Richards (Pavey 84), Moore.
Subs: Wright.
