U18s: West Brom 2-0 Aston Villa

Aston Villa Under-18s fell to their first defeat of the season on Saturday, losing 2-0 to West Bromwich Albion at The Fitlife Foods Performance Centre.

Goals in each half from Danyal Iqbal and Harry French put the Baggies into a commanding lead midway through the second period.

And, despite Reuben Saa’s dismissal seeing the hosts reduced to 10 players for the final nine minutes, Richard Beale’s Young Lions were unable to dig anything out in the form of a response, as they dropped to sixth in the Under-18 Premier League South table.

Entering on the back of impressive league wins over Crystal Palace and Brentford, the Villans were looking to rack up three in a row when making the short trip across the midlands.

Beale again handed an opportunity to the youth, with George Thomas named on the bench after netting in last week’s win over Brentford, and Cameron Ellis and Hayden Renardson joining him among the visiting substitutes.

But West Brom started the clash the stronger, and after calling Theo Houston into action a few times in the early stages, took the lead 26 minutes in.

Iqbal intercepted a stray pass out from the Villa goalkeeper and steered into the gaping goal from the edge of the area to give the Baggies the advantage at half-time.

The start of the second period brought more of the same, as Villa struggled to match the pace of their hosts who were keen to find a second goal, Beale introducing Daniel Adediran on the hour mark as he looked to inject a spark into his side.

But 10 minutes later, the hosts notched their second to all but seal the points. Remar McNeil swung a teasing free-kick into the area which Beale’s boys failed to clear, and after something of a goalmouth scramble, French found the net to double his side’s advantage.

The visitors were given a helping hand nine minutes from time when Saa received his marching orders for a second-bookable offence, meaning the home side would play the closing stages a player light.

But, despite throwing bodies forward in the final few minutes in search of a route back, Villa were unable to breach the Baggies defence, and left empty-handed. They return to action next Saturday in their final outing before the international break, as Brighton & Hove Albion visit Bodymoor Heath (ko 11am).