U18s: Aston Villa 2-3 Arsenal

Aston Villa opened 2024 with a narrow 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in the Under-18 Premier League South on Saturday.

After Villa goalkeeper Sam Lewis saved the first of three penalties awarded to the visitors, the Young Lions opened the scoring courtesy of Rory Wilson midway through the first half and held a slender half-time advantage at Bodymoor Heath.

Yet the Gunners took the lead following Kamarni Ryan's leveller and a spot-kick from Michal Rosiak, only for Cole Brannigan to level just minutes later and make it 2-2.

However, parity was short lived as Rosiak converted his second penalty of the afternoon three minutes later to put Arsenal back in front and inflict defeat on the battling Villans, who will now be looking to bounce back at high-flying Tottenham Hotspur on Friday.

Villa goalkeeper Lewis produced heroics to save Rosiak’s first-half penalty and provide a platform from which the hosts established a half-time advantage, Wilson slotting home from close range in the 26^th minute.

But Ryan drew the Gunners level 11 minutes after the restart, converting Ismeal Kabia’s ball into the box past substitute goalkeeper Rhys Oakley, who was introduced at the break.

Kabia again caused the hosts problems as he was brought down in the area the 70^th minute, allowing Rosiak the opportunity to put Arsenal ahead from the spot.

But Villa showed spirit and Brannigan immediately levelled just two minutes later with a left-footed finish from six yards.

However, Arsenal’s third penalty of the afternoon moments later saw the visitors claim the spoils, Rosiak netting his second of the game, despite Oakley getting a hand to the spot-kick.

The Young Lions pushed for an equaliser, Wilson denied by ‘keeper Alexei Rojas late on, but it was to no avail as they suffered a cruel defeat.