City defeated by Aston Villa in Under-18 Premier League National final | OneFootball

City fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the Under-18 Premier League National final.

After a tense first half, nothing could separate the Under-18 Premier League North and South title winners at Villa Park.

But Leon Routh gave Villa the lead on 75 minutes after a well-worked set piece by the hosts.

City tried to find an equaliser that would have sent the game to extra-time, but Villa's sturdy formation proved too much for Oliver Reiss' side to break through in our final game in 2024/25.

WHAT HAPPENED

Villa Park welcomed City and Aston Villa to the West Midlands for a second clash of the month between the two impressive Academy outfits.

Earlier in May, the Villans ran out 3-1 winners in the FA Youth Cup final, but Oliver Reiss’ side looked ready to make amends against the Under-18 Premier League South title winners.

It was another fantastic atmosphere with thousands in attendance for the final game of the Under-18 campaign.

And City were first to carve out a chance in an electric start to the game.

Reigan Heskey drove towards Sam Proctor’s goal and cut inside onto his right to unleash a thumping effort that the Villa shot stopper managed to guide wide of the post on four minutes.

Less than a minute later, Villa countered off City’s corner with Bradley Burrowes scuffing his chance at the back post with the hosts once again showing how quickly they can break.

City continued to grow into the game and looked the most threatening in front of goal. Finlay Gorman rattled the right post on 20 minutes in our next best opportunity after Villa failed to clear City’s initial corner.

On the brink of half-time City had the ball in the back of the Villa net after a well-worked cross but referee Harrison Blair deemed McAidoo to have fouled Proctor before tapping home, and in turn the goal was disallowed.

Despite Villa starting the second half the brightest, City created the best chance come the 54th minute. McAidoo tried to squeeze a left-footed effort into the bottom right corner, but Proctor read the danger well and managed to block the ball with his foot.

Our opponent’s ability to counter-attack was showcased again on 59 minutes. Brannigan carried the ball half the length of the pitch before he picked out Burrowes at the back post.

A determined Henderson-Hall tracked play all the way back, making a vital block with his chest on the goal line to keep the score level.

But the hosts finally found a way through in Routh who tapped home from close range on 75 minutes after TJ Carroll played a dangerous cross from the right back across the face of the goal.

Despite the seven minutes added time, and City’s constant wave of attacks, our Under-18s were unfortunate not to find an equaliser as we completed the 2024/25 season with a defeat.

Regardless, it was a term packed with highlights and our youngsters should hold their heads high as we look to go again next year.

HOW WE LINED UP

Oliver Whatmuff was named as the ‘keeper and was shielded by a back four of Matty Henderson-Hall, Kian Noble, Stephen Mfuni and Kaden Braithwaite.

In City’s engine room, the familiar trio of Harrison Miles, Finlay Gorman and Divine Mukasa were in all over the Villa pitch.

Matty Warhurst led the Under-18s line for the final time and was joined by Reigan Heskey and Ryan McAidoo.

VILLA XI | Proctor, Rowe, Fortes (Bloomfield 92’), Carroll, Routh, Borland, Burrowes, Hemmings (McWilliams 83’), Cotcher (Mulley 90+5’), Brannigan (Quinn 83’), Jimoh-Aloba.

UNUSED SUBS | Asemota.

CITY XI | Whatmuff, Henderson-Hall (Headley 83’), Noble, Mfuni, Braithwaite, Miles, McAidoo, Gorman (F. Samba 76’), Warhurst, Mukasa, R. Heskey (Fletcher 83’)

UNUSED SUBS | Hudson, Fapetu.

WHAT IT MEANS

City’s Under-18s have finished for the 2024/25 season.

They will return to the City Football Academy in July to begin pre-season preparations for the upcoming campaign.