U21s: Newcastle United 0-1 Aston Villa

Sil Swinkels’ header clinched a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United and sealed Aston Villa’s place in the Premier League 2 play-offs.

The centre-back rose to head home Todd Alcock’s free-kick just before half-time and secure a deserved and dramatic victory at St James’ Park.

The Young Lions also saw Alcock and the lively Kadan Young hit the woodwork in the first half, while Kobei Moore sent a second-half penalty off target.

But Swinkels’ header settled Villa’s final match of the regular league season and proved enough to seal 16^th place in the PL2 table by a single point and the last remaining spot in the play-offs.

Villa’s Under-21s, who also have the Birmingham Senior Cup final to looking forward to, will now face league winners Tottenham Hotspur in the knockout stages of the competition.

The Villans went into the encounter knowing only victory would be enough and showed their attacking intent from the first minute as Rory Wilson’s surging run and shot forced Magpies goalkeeper Aidan Harris into a fine save.

The visitors were forcing all the early pressure and Alcock came close to opening the scoring as his first-time strike hit a post.

Young was proving a livewire for the Young Lions and he again went close as he embarked on a driving run, cut inside and saw his strike tipped on to the crossbar by Harris.

But Villa got the goal they deserved in the 42^nd minute as Alcock’s free-kick from out wide was met by Swinkels and he headed home.

The visitors managed the encounter well as the second half wore on, ‘keeper Lander Emery saving from Dylan Stephenson in the 72^nd minute.

Villa were presented with an opportunity to double their advantage shortly afterwards as Travis Patterson was brought down in the penalty area, but Moore fired his spot-kick over the crossbar.

The clash opened up as it entered the closing stages, Emery saving superbly to deny Magpies substitute Jay Turner-Cooke.

Sub Ben Broggio fired off target in injury time as Villa looked for a crucial second goal, but they held firm to seal all three points and a place in the play-offs.