Aston Villa were defeated 1-3 in the Under-18 Premier League Cup Final at Villa Park on Thursday evening.
Villa took the lead through Rory Wilson before Rio Kyerematen equalised moments before the break.
Spurs counter-attacked Villa to devastating effect early in the second half; striker Jamie Donley calmly finished the move to give Spurs the lead before Rio Kyerematen grabbed his second of the night, stylishly bending his shot in off the post.
Let’s hear my post-match thoughts about the players’ individual performances.
JAMES WRIGHT – 7
No chance for any of the superbly taken Spurs goals. His handling was superb throughout, as was his productive distribution of the ball. Busy all night, making a string of good saves.
JAYDEN BARBER – 6.5
Offered an attacking outlet in the first half, as well as coming inside to sit in midfield alongside Todd Alcock when the play was on the opposite side. Forced back in the second half as Spurs gained control.
Triston Rowe, 88β – N/A
KERR SMITH & JOSH FEENEY – 7
Iβve unusually scored these two players together, as I feel they both had identical games. The defensive duo have a good understanding of the heart of the Villa defence; both made well-timed challenges, looked a threat from set-pieces, but were left awfully exposed by a lack of protection from the Villa midfield as Spurs sprung continuous lethal counterattacks.
FINLEY MUNROE – 7
Solid performance from the left back. Munroe whipped in a number of dangerous balls with his powerful left foot. Was unfortunate for Spursβ equaliser when his slide tackle fell straight into the path of Kyerematen minutes before the interval.
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TODD ALCOCK – 6
Suffocated by Spurs, Alcock was an isolated figure in the Villa midfield. He tried his best to break up play and get Villa a foothold in the game, but suffered from a numerical outnumbering in the middle.
I-Lani Edwards, 80β – N/A
LICA LYNCH – 6.5
It was a good performance from Lynch, who highlighted his exciting talent. He had you on the edge of your seat when he attacked down the wing, but Spurs marshalled the wide areas well, forcing Lynch wide, and cutting off an opportunity for a final ball.
Traiβvarn Mulley, 80β – N/A
OMARI KELLYMAN – 7
Iβve been attending the PL2 games at Bodymoor Heath recently, and Kellyman has been a standout performer! He glides effortlessly around the pitch, which was fully displayed with his work in the build-up to the opener.
Didnβt return for the second half, and that hurt Villa as Tottenham dominated the midfield.
Mikell Barnes, 45β – Struggled (like everyone) to stop the Spurs second-half midfield onslaught. 5
TRAVIS PATTERSON – 6
I was interested to watch Patterson after making the bench for the first team in recent games. Unfortunately, he had a quiet night as Villa struggled for cohesion between their midfield and forwards.
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KAYDEN YOUNG – 6
He struggled to fully assert himself in the game, showing flashes of his pace and skill when running with the ball; he displayed some nice flick-passes but found space hard to come by as Spurs suffocated that right-hand side.
RORY WILSON – 6.5
After a superb counter-attack move, the Scottish youth international opened the score with a crisp finish. Suffering from a lack of service from the Villa midfield, then missing a late chance to force a frenzied finish.
Subs not used: Alex Hammond (GK)
Summary: Aston Villa U18 battled to the end, but a dominant and clinical 10-minute spell from Tottenham either side of the break condemned Villa to defeat. The loss of Kellyman at halftime hurt, but a cup run for these young lions to be proud of; just not to be on the night.
THE OPPOSITION
Spurs U18: Gunter, McKnight, Dorrington, Chaplin, Linton (Andiyapan 71′), Hall (Olusesi 68′), Abbott, Kyerematen (Willhoft-King 87′), Ajayi, Donley, Moore (Akhamrich 88′)
Subs: Andiyapan, Bloedorn, Willhoft-King, Olusesi, Akhamrich
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Thumbnail Media Credit: www.avfc.co.uk
AUTHOR | RYAN MCKEOWN
Authorβs UTV PODCAST archive Ryan Mckeown – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
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