Ten-man Aston Villa suffered a 1-0 defeat to in-form Crystal Palace in the Under-18 Premier League South on Saturday.
Finley Marjoram’s goal early in the second half proved the difference at Bodymoor Heath, coming after goalkeeper Sam Proctor saw red for the Young Lions in the 40th minute.
Villa now have three matches remaining this season, starting with Wednesday’s trip to Reading.
Possession
46%Shots
12Shots On Target
5Corners
7Fouls
100
1
Cards
2
0
Bradley Burrows dragged wide an early opportunity for the hosts having been sent through by Luka Lynch.
George King directed a good opening off target for the Eagles from eight yards, while the home side cleared Marjoram’s strike off the goal-line as the first half wore on.
The Palace right-back then curled wide from 20 yards before Villa ‘keeper Proctor spread himself to make a fine save and keep the visitors at bay.
Yet the first half’s key moment came five minutes before the break as Proctor was sent off for violent conduct, replaced by Alex Hammond.
George Hemmings sent a 20-yard effort narrowly over the crossbar at the start of the second period.
But it was Palace who broke the deadlock in the 49th minute as they won possession in a dangerous area, Joe Gibbard surged into the penalty area and found Marjoram, who converted from close range.
Substitute ‘keeper Hammond made a smart stop to deny Ben Casey before Nile Timson made a superb last-ditch challenge to block the Palace striker shortly afterwards.
Villa pushed in search of a second-half leveller it was not to be as the visitors claimed the spoils.
Aston Villa U18: Proctor, McWilliams (Simpson 80'), Timson, TJ Carroll, Fortes, Mulley, Hemmings, Edwards (Moreland 57'), Brannigan, Lynch (Lott 88'), Burrows (Hammond 41').
Subs: Quinn.
Crystal Palace U18: Eastwood, Marjoram, Walker-Smith, Browne, Cowin, King, Gibbard (Lusale 63'), Williams, Dashi, Casey, Agbinone.
Subs: Hill, Austin, Adams-Collman, Redhead.
