U18s: Aston Villa 2-1 West Bromwich Albion

Aston Villa moved three points clear at the top of the Under-18 Premier League on Tuesday, with a battling 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion at a sun-drenched Bodymoor Heath.

Jack McGrath continued his fine run of form as his early header put Jimmy Shan’s Young Lions in front on eight minutes, but the Baggies proved stern opposition, and deservedly drew level nine minutes into the second period through Divine Onyemachi.

But a closely-contested game would be decided by a moment of individual brilliance, as Cole Brannigan picked out the top corner with a sublime curling effort from the edge of the area 18 minutes from time to ensure the Villans would take all three points.

Villa began the affair on top, controlling a lot of the early possession, and needed just eight minutes to take the lead, when Brannigan swung a corner deep to the back post which was headed home by McGrath.

The Young Lions looked for a second as they continued to dominate the ball in the opening stages, but found themselves frustrated by a stubborn Baggies backline.

The visitors drew confidence from their defensive solidarity, and grew into the first half as it wore on. The next real opportunity fell their way half an hour in as they continued their search for an equaliser, with Sam Proctor needing to be at full stretch to dive and keep out Cole Deeming’s dipping half-volley from the edge of the area.

Villa came back again, with the affair having evolved into an end-to-end encounter by this point. Max Jenner and Brad Burrowes narrowly missed with efforts from distance, but West Brom retained their attacking threat, ending the half the stronger of the two sides.

Idrissa Dauda Amihere dragged an effort wide from distance, before Proctor was alert to parry Deeming’s long-range effort and Jaiden Francis-Caesar’s powerful header inside the area seconds later, to ensure the Villans would go in at the break a goal to the good.

West Brom began the second half as they ended the first, and remained in the hunt for an equalising goal, as Deeming saw a header blocked before George Shaw found his effort deflected inches over.

The Baggies were getting closer, and should have equalised seven minutes after the restart when the ball was sent to the back post, but Onyemachi scuffed his effort wide from an unmarked position with the goal at his mercy.

But the Baggies forward would get his reward and go one better minutes later when drawing the away side deservedly level, crashing a header home from Alfie Maughan’s cross to restore parity.

West Brom were in the ascendancy, and looking the more likely to net the next goal. The dangerous Deeming again took aim from distance just before the hour mark but, with Proctor rooted to the spot, saw his effort rattle the post and drop behind.

But the introduction of Trai-Varn Mulley gave Villa something of a route back into the game, the winger giving his side more control and attacking threat with his direct runs at defenders.

And, moments after visiting substitute Dan Chimeziri dragged an effort into the side-netting, Mulley helped make his presence on the field count, as the hosts retook the lead.

Mulley again picked up the ball from a deep position and drove at the Baggies backline, teeing up Brannigan who sent an unstoppable left-footed effort whistling past goalkeeper Louis Brady and into the top corner from the edge of the area to restore Villa’s advantage.

The home side looked to finish the job as the game ticked into its final 15 minutes. Fellow substitute Rodrigo Fortes found himself in behind and looked for the far corner, only to see his effort roll agonisingly wide of the far post.

But the narrow advantage was enough for Shan’s charges, as they successfully saw out the closing stages to move three points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table, who succumbed to a 100th-minute equaliser in a thrilling 4-4 draw in their game at home to Tottenham Hotspur. 

The Villans face the Gunners at Bodymoor Heath in their final game of the regular season on May 11, after hosting Leicester City three days prior and taking on Manchester City at Villa Park in next Monday’s FA Youth Cup final.