Aston Villa capped off an incredible season by beating Manchester City at Villa Park to win the Under-18 Premier League National Final.
Having survived a first-half onslaught from the visitors thanks to some last-ditch defending and a series of saves from Sam Proctor, the hosts produced the match-winning moment their much-improved second-half display merited after 72 minutes.
TJ Carroll teed up centre back partner Leon Routh to lash home in front of the North Stand, sparking a roar from a crowd of nearly 10,000 in B6.
Victory wrapped up the third title of an impressive campaign following an FA Youth Cup triumph against the same opponents and their U18 Premier League South division win.
Villa named the same starting XI that won the FA Youth Cup final against the Cityzens just under two weeks ago as they looked to secure a trio of trophies on the season.
City took the lead inside two minutes of the aforementioned game, and they came close to striking the opening blow again when Reigan Heskey’s drive was tipped wide by Proctor after four minutes.
The hosts swept forward after defending the resulting corner, with Bradley Burrowes scuffing wide when he looked destined to convert Cole Brannigan’s low cross.
Divine Mukasa let Villa off the hook when he prodded wide from close-range before City capped a strong ten minutes with another golden opportunity for Ryan McAidoo, who curled one narrowly past the far post.
The champions of the North continued to be the aggressors, clattering the post through Finlay Gorman’s drive from distance and calling Proctor into a fine 1v1 save from Matty Warhurst.
The chances dried up as the match ticked towards half-time, although McAidoo saw a goal ruled out in stoppage time following a foul on the goalkeeper.
Villa raced out of the blocks at the start of the second half and after Brannigan saw a goalbound shot blocked, Burrowes’ drilled cross fell a whisker wide of the far post.
However, the home side were grateful to a smart save from Proctor for keeping them on level terms when he stuck out a leg to keep an effort from McAidoo out.
As the hour mark approached, Villa created their best chance of the match, carving City open on the counter-attack before Burrowes’ shot flew past the ‘keeper and was only kept out by a superb goalline clearance from Matthew Henderson-Hall.
A crowd of close to 10,000 inside Villa Park finally had a goal to cheer after 72 minutes when Routh popped up with the opener.
A cross from Brannigan made its way through to Carroll at the back post and he poked the ball back across goal for his centre back partner to lash home.
In response, City threw on attackers and looked to apply pressure on Proctor's goal, but found themselves repelled time and again by an organised Villa backline.
And it was the team in claret and blue celebrating again at the final whistle as they got ready to lift their third piece of silverware of the season.
Aston Villa: Proctor, Rowe, Carroll, Routh, Fortes (Bloomfield 90+3’), Borland, Hemmings (Quinn 85’), Jimoh-Aloba, Burrowes, Brannigan (McWilliams 85’), Cotcher (Mulley 90+5').
Unused subs: Asemota.