Villa Park witnessed Aston Villa’s fifth FA Youth Cup triumph on Monday.
The club’s Under-18s capped a tremendous run through the competition with a 3-1 victory against Manchester City in the final.
Jubilant scenes followed the final whistle as the team celebrated their achievement with over 25,000 supporters.
Here’s how the 2025 FA Youth Cup was won…
Goals galore
Villa announced their arrival in the competition in emphatic fashion, destroying Accrington Stanley 6-0 in the third round.
The goals were flowing once more in round four when a trip to Newcastle United ended in a 4-0 triumph for the visitors.
Jimmy Shan’s team continued to be razor sharp in the final third in their next two games against Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle, scoring three times in each match en route to booking their place in the semis.
Crucial comeback
The Young Lions looked to be heading out of the tournament when they trailed 2-1 to Bristol City after 85 minutes of their fifth-round tie at Bodymoor Heath.
However, Villa had other ideas and turned things around to seal a 3-2 triumph deep into stoppage time.
Mason Cotcher netted the equaliser before coming to the fore again in the fifth minute of added time, converting a cross to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Spot kick success
A semi-final tie against Manchester United, the club with the most FA Youth Cup titles (11) to their name, was always going to be a classic encounter.
Trai-Varn Mulley’s early goal was cancelled out later in the first half and despite the match swinging from end-to-end in a pulsating clash, it finished 1-1 after extra-time.
Step forward Sam Proctor. The goalkeeper saved two penalties before United missed their last one, handing Villa a 3-1 win in the shootout.
Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, Keilan Quinn and Max Jenner all buried their penalties as Villa held their nerve from 12 yards.
Villa Park victories
Shan’s side had home advantage in five of their six Youth Cup ties, starting off at Bodymoor Heath before playing the quarter-final, semi-final and final at Villa Park.
Playing at the club’s famous home didn’t overawe the squad, who rose to the occasion in each round, much to the delight of the crowd.
A huge 25,073 supporters were in the ground to watch the Young Lions win the trophy, with the players clearly revelling in the atmosphere.
The final hurdle
Reigning champions Manchester City stood in the way in the final, bringing together the leaders of the Under-18 Premier League North and South divisions.
And the visitors got off to the best possible start, striking the opening blow with less than two minutes on the clock when Matty Warhurst netted.
Far from being disheartened, Villa levelled two minutes later when TJ Carroll directed a header past the goalkeeper.
A wonder strike from Cole Brannigan put them in front for the first time and Jimoh-Aloba sealed the success with a well-taken finish in the second half.
