U21s: Aston Villa 2-3 Newcastle United

Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara made their long-awaited returns from injury as Aston Villa fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat against Newcastle United in Premier League 2 on Saturday.

Mings and Kamara, having been sidelined for 14 months and eight months respectively, both completed the opening 45 minutes at Bodymoor Heath as they stepped up their recoveries from knee injuries.

The Young Lions were all square at the break as Ben Broggio cancelled out Ben Parkinson’s early opener for the Magpies.

Travis Patterson put the hosts ahead shortly after the restart while Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba then saw his effort rebound off the crossbar as Villa chased further reward.

But Cathal Heffernan levelled for United just after the hour mark, before Parkinson’s second of the afternoon from the penalty spot in the 70^th minute inflicted defeat.

Josep Gombau’s side are back in action on Tuesday as they face Bolton Wanderers in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

Both centre-back Mings and midfielder Kamara were given a warm reception by the Villa faithful ahead of kick-off.

But it was Newcastle who established an early advantage as Parkinson slotted home after five minutes.

However, Villa were soon level as Broggio was on hand to convert Patterson’s deep cross at the back post.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between during the first half but it was the home side who controlled the majority of possession and went in level at the interval.

Villa didn’t have to wait long to establish a second-half advantage, Broggio this time turned provider and sent another delivery to the far post for Patterson to put the ball through the legs of United goalkeeper Aidan Harris.

Broggio then fired straight at Harris as the Young Lions looked to add a quick third, before Jimoh-Aloba struck the woodwork just after the hour.

With opportunities coming at either end, it was Newcastle who levelled in the 65^th minute as ‘keeper Sam Proctor tipped the ball wide for a corner, from which Heffernan found the net to make it 2-2.

And it was the Magpies who struck next after Proctor upended Parkinson in the penalty area, leaving the United No.7 to convert the subsequent spot-kick.

Villa pressed for a leveller in the final stages but couldn’t find any reward as they suffered defeat in the PL2 clash.