U21s Report: Aston Villa 0-3 Leeds United | OneFootball

Premier League 2

Aston Villa U21 0

Leeds United U21 3 (Cresswell 12’, Gray 45’, 70’)

Villa: Hollingshead (GK), McWilliams, Patterson (Fortes 66’), Carroll, Mosquera, Borland (C), Burrowes, Koné, Cotcher (Lott 43’), Brannigan, Pavey (Jenner 83’). Subs not used: Asemota (GK), Routh.

Leeds: Mahady (GK), Dudley, Lienou, Cresswell (C), Lopata-White, Howson, Douglas (McDonald 46’ (Brockie76’)), Chadwick, Gray, Pickles, Bird (Pirie 87’). Subs not used: Ombang (GK), Enahoro-Marcus.

Referee: Matthew Scholes

Booked: Koné, Mosquera, Brannigan (Villa) Dudley (Leeds)

Venue: Bodymoor Heath

Leeds United Under-21s began their Premier League 2 campaign with an emphatic 3-0 victory away at Aston Villa Under-21s.

Firsth-half goals from skipper Alfie Cresswell and forward Harry Gray saw the Whites take a commanding lead into the break before the striker made sure of the three points with his second in the closing stages.

Scott Gardner had named four changes to the side that were defeated at Boston United last time out, handing starts to Louie Dudley, Jayden Lienou, Jonny Howson and Connor Douglas.

United goalkeeper Rory Mahady had to be alert early on in the West Midlands, producing a fine sprawling save to deny Cole Brannigan’s drilled low effort after a quick Villa break.

Immediately down the other end it was Ronnie Hollingshead’s turn to make an impressive intervention, tipping Rhys Chadwick’s fiercely struck volley over the crossbar.

The midfielder was involved moments later and this time there was nothing the hosts’ stopper could do to prevent the opener!

Chadwick’s dangerous out-swinging delivery was met by the onrushing Cresswell, powering an inch-perfect header off the inside of the far post and into the back of the net.

In an encounter that had started with an electric tempo at Bodymoor Heath, Villa went desperately close to levelling proceedings through Mohamed Koné who glanced narrowly wide from a corner kick before Brannigan arrowed a low drive past the upright.

The Whites doubled their advantage moments before the break in clinical fashion. Fantastic tenacity from Cresswell won the ball for Douglas on the edge of the home team’s penalty area.

The attacker threaded an intricate pass through for Gray who made no mistake from close range, showing great composure to beat Hollingshead and pick out the bottom corner!

HALF TIME: Aston Villa U21 0-2 Leeds United U21

Gardner’s side emerged for the second period with one alteration to the lineup as Josh McDonald made a welcome return from injury, replacing the hard-working Douglas.

Leeds were quick out of the blocks as they looked for a third. An enticing delivery from Coban Bird floated towards Gray though, under pressure from a claret and blue shirt, the striker was unable to work the goalkeeper.

Approaching the hour mark and Mahady had to be at his very best to preserve the two-goal cushion, making a sublime diving save to divert Bradley Burrowes’ rasping shot away from danger.

That intervention came shortly after the Scotland youth international was alert and raced out to gather substitute Max Lott’s tame effort.

The Whites did deservedly grab a third of the evening with 20 minutes of the clash remaining as Gray doubled his tally in predatory fashion.

Cresswell initially met Lienou’s whipped delivery and saw a first-time opportunity cannon off a Villa defender and into the path of the forward who made no mistake at the back post!

Keen to wrestle back momentum, Charlie Pavey raced through on goal after latching onto a clever through ball. Just as the attacker shaped to shoot, a fantastic last-ditch challenge from Reuben Lopata-White crucially dispossessed the Villa man.

Jimmy Shan’s team went close to reducing the deficit late on when Burrowes skewed a wild effort over the upright before Matthew Scholes’ full-time whistle signalled an impressive three points for the Whites!

FULL TIME: Aston Villa U21 0-3 Leeds United U21