Aston Villa Under-18s go in search of a third trophy of the season at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon, hosting Manchester City in the Under-18 Premier League National Final.
A monumental fixture pitting the two regional Under-18 Premier League champions against one another, the clash will decide the overall winner of this season's Premier League at under-18 level.
It is a repeat of the FA Youth Cup final earlier this month, also played at Villa Park, which saw Jimmy Shan's Young Lions defeat the Cityzens 3-1 in front of over 25,000 spectators, to lift the famous trophy for a fifth time.
Villa secured their Under-18 Premier League South title earlier in May, with a 1-0 victory over Leicester City ensuring they couldn't be caught by runners-up Southampton with one game to spare.
Man City, meanwhile, were crowned Under-18 Premier League North champions a week prior, triumphing 4-3 over Derby County on their way to completing a commendable league campaign which saw them beaten just once, with an overall goal difference of +70.
The campaign so far
Having been in the mix for the U18 Premier League North title all season long, Villa had catching up to do with regards to the fixtures calendar, after a triumphant FA Youth Cup campaign followed a run to the last 16 of the UEFA Youth League in their maiden campaign in the competition.
But a 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion at Bodymoor Heath in late April meant that, because high-flying Arsenal had conceded a stoppage-time equaliser against Spurs on the same day, Shan's side would have the opportunity to secure the title in their next league outing.
That game came the following week at Bodymoor, after Villa had lifted the Youth Cup less than a week after their win over the Baggies. Mason Cotcher's close-range finish on the hour mark defeated Leicester and ensured Villa would compete in the National Final, despite a 3-0 defeat at home to the Gunners in their final league outing of the season last week.
The Villans are going after their first Under-18 Premier League National title since the competition's revamp in 2012, while a win would secure a league and FA Youth Cup double for the first time in the club's history.
The Opposition
City, meanwhile, secured the Under-18 Premier League North title a week prior to Villa, with a thrilling 4-3 victory over fellow high-flying youth outfit Derby County.
Oliver Reiss' side finished the campaign with a remarkable record in the regional division, having lost just once, with two draws.
21 victories from 24 outings and a goal difference of +70 saw them pip city rivals United to the northern title, after a similarly impressive season which saw them drop just nine points from their 24 games.
The Cityzens are the record holders so far as Under-18 Premier League National titles are concerned, topping the tree four times since 2012, having won three crowns on the spin between 2021 and 2023, before United broke their streak last season.
The last meeting
The most recent meeting between these two teams came less than two weeks ago in the final of the prestigious FA Youth Cup, also played at Villa Park.
Over 25,000 supporters flocked to B6 to see the Young Lions triumph 3-1 and lift the trophy for the first time since 2021, after coming from behind to end City's winning streak.
Matty Warhurst put the visitors into an early lead, but Shan's charges hit back immediately, TJ Carroll heading home an equaliser.
Cole Brannigan's sumptuous half-volley put the hosts ahead at the halfway stage, before Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba's superb effort from distance took the tie out of reach of Reiss' side, as the Villans were crowned champions.
The venue
Villa Park will host live action for the 46th and final time of the 2024/25 season on Saturday afternoon, after Unai Emery's side won their final home game of the campaign on Friday night.
The Young Lions have already played in B6 five times this season, in the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals, semi-finals and final as well as in the UEFA Youth League and Vertu Trophy.
Close to 10,000 tickets have already been snapped up for the contest, and are still available to purchase for just £1.
The coach
“The season’s coming to the end but the only thing we’ve said to the boys is that it’s a privilege to be in the position of having such a big game to conclude your season.”
Jimmy Shan
Aston Villa v Manchester City
U18 PL National Final