U18s: Aston Villa 1-0 Leicester City

Aston Villa clinched the Under-18 Premier League South title courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Leicester City.

Mason Cotcher’s close-range finish on the hour mark secured all three points over the Foxes at Bodymoor Heath, sealing the Young Lions’ success as regional champions.

It was a deserved triumph for the Villans, who created a host of openings throughout amid a keenly-contested encounter, with the full-time whistle sparking joyous scenes of celebration.

The achievement comes just days after lifting the FA Youth Cup with an impressive 3-1 victory over Manchester City in front of over 25,000 supporters at Villa Park.

It caps a memorable campaign for the club’s Academy, with Jimmy Shan’s side, who still have one match remaining of the regular season, now set to face North champions Manchester City in a national final for the U18 Premier League title.

A competitive start to the encounter saw both sides attack with purpose in the opening exchanges.

Cole Brannigan’s strike was parried in the 11^th minute while Sam Proctor was commanding his penalty area well at the other end.

Brad Burrowes rounded City goalkeeper Jake Donohue in the 27^th minute and found Brannigan in the middle, but his goalbound effort was well blocked by the Foxes rearguard.

Aidan Borland and Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba fired off target shortly after the half-hour mark as Villa started to turn the screw.

Burrowes then headed wide from six yards in the 41^st minute, before the lively Brannigan was thwarted by Will Daniels just before the half-time whistle brought a goalless first period to a close.

Villa started the second half where they left off and Borland threatened early on before Jimoh-Aloba drilled wide of the near post having been found by a superb throughball from TJ Carroll.

Proctor did well to deny Foxes forward Lorenz Hutchinson, keeping out his strong left-footed effort.

George Hemmings then drilled narrowly over from distance shortly afterwards as an engaging encounter flowed from end to end.

And Villa finally got the breakthrough their dominance warranted on the hour mark.

Hemmings’ ball into the box was headed back across goal by Carroll and Cotcher was on hand to convert from close range.

Hutchinson flashed a strike across goal as the visitors looked to level matters, while Burrowes’ effort was blocked following a swift counter-attack.

Both sides pushed for late reward as the clash became stretched, Jimoh-Aloba denied by Donohue having been sent clear in injury time, before the final whistle sparked title-winning celebrations.