U18s: Reading 3-2 Aston Villa

Aston Villa suffered defeat against Reading in the Under-18 Premier League.

A trialist put the home side on 27 minutes before they quickly doubled their lead via Joseph Barough.

Cole Brannigan netted minutes after the restart, but the Royals hit back quickly through Barough’s second of the game.

Luka Lynch kept his cool from the penalty spot in stoppage time but it wasn’t enough for the away side.

The Royals made most of the early running at Bearwood Park, with their trialist striker going close on two occasions.

Trai-varn Mulley forced a save from Harrison Rhone, but it was the hosts who hit the front on 27 minutes.

Reading’s on trial forward outmuscled a Villa defender and got into the box before sending a shot past Alex Hammond.

The home side doubled their lead seven minutes later when Barough burst into the box and collected a pass, lashing an effort into the bottom corner.

Villa made the perfect start to the second half and reduced the deficit when Brannigan slammed home from four yards out after great play from Ewan Simpson.

However, Reading’s response was swift and they restored their two-goal advantage four minutes later when Barough volleyed Luke Howard’s cross beyond Hammond.

Lynch coolly converted a stoppage-time penalty but it was too little too late for the away side.