Aston Villa’s kids match their skill with determination to lift Youth Cup

Seemingly cruising after early strikes from Ben Chrisene and Brad Young, Villa were made to sweat for their triumph following Seb Revan’s 73rd-minute own goal. But players who have lit up this year’s competition would not be denied as they held their nerve to become the fourth team in Villa’s history to lift the trophy and the first since 2002.

For long periods of a joyous night at Villa Park, roared on by 4,750 supporters, they looked set to record a win against the Reds just as emphatic as those on their route to the final, during which they plundered 26 goals.

Chrisene and then Young, from the penalty spot, had them two ahead inside 12 minutes. But the third goal which would have killed the contest never arrived. Twice in the first half Villa hit the post, while visiting keeper Harvey Davies made a series of impressive saves to thwart the hosts after the break.

Those moments and Revan’s unfortunate own goal ensured a tense finish but Villa showed they possessed enough grit to go with their skill.

Villa’s starting line-up featured eight players who had faced Liverpool’s senior team in the third round of the FA Cup back in January. There was one change to the XI from the 4-1 semi-final win over Albion, Chrisene replacing Kahrel Reddin on the right of midfield.

On the bench, meanwhile, was Aaron Ramsey, the midfielder having recovered sufficiently from injury which had kept him out in recent weeks in order to have some involvement.

Both teams’ route to the final had been played out to the sounds of echoing empty stadiums. But here at last there were supporters, Villa’s youngsters seeming to grow just that bit more in stature as they left the field at the end of the pre-match warm-up with the sound of applause from the Holte End ringing in their ears.

The noise only got louder when they re-emerged for kick-off, while there were boos when Liverpool won the coin toss and asked Villa to attack the Holte in the first half.

It was the Reds who settled a little quicker, Hayden Lindley alert to nip in and clear a cross intended for Max Woltman 12 yards out.

But then Carney Chukwuemeka picked up the ball, drove at the visiting defence and Villa won their first corner. Moments later they were ahead, Arjan Raikhy picking up the ball by the byline and then finding Chrisene on the edge of the box. In one movement he brought it down, before in the next firing a left-footed shot into the bottom corner. The Holte End roared.

Buoyed by the goal Villa pressed for more, Chukwuemeka riding challenges on a run through midfield before eventually being pulled back by Luca Stephenson, who was booked. Lindley took the free-kick quickly and Billy Koumetio got too close to Young as the forward looked to reach it. The contact was minimal but sufficient and the Holte, in any case, helped referee John Brooks make up his mind. Young got back to his feet and dispatched the penalty with aplomb, hopping Bruno Fernandes-style before sending the ball into the bottom corner.

Liverpool were reeling but almost handed a route back into the game as Villa’s defence dallied, goalkeeper Filip Marschall doing enough to put off Balagizi before Mateusz Musialowski hammered a shot over the bar.

The same player also fired off target later in the half after Villa were again guilty of overplaying at the back.

Going forward there were no such worries with the only thing missing the finish, Young and Chrisene both striking the post as the half finished without Villa adding to their advantage.

Liverpool made their first change at the break and the new man, Melkamu Frauendorf, almost created a goal in the opening minute but Woltman pulled his cross wide. The visitors were starting to exert some pressure and Kesler had to be alert to clear from under his own bar after Musialowski had found space on the right to cross. Yet it was Villa who remained more threatening in attack and Reds goalkeeper Harvey Davies was required to deny Chukwuemeka and Louie Barry in quick succession, before Young came within a whisker of grabbing his second when he sliced a shot wide.

Heading into the final 20 minutes, it was Davies who again came to Liverpool’s rescue, flinging himself to his right to prevent Young’s drive from creeping inside the near post. His saves took on greater significance 17 minutes from time when Frauendorf volleyed a corner toward goal and Revan was unable to get his feet in order to it out at the far post.

Villa quickly looked to restore their two-goal cushion but again Davies denied them, this time saving from Ramsey at close range after the skipper, off the bench to replace Chrisene just past the hour mark, had linked up with Barry.

Now there was real tension. Raikhy thought he had sealed the deal in stoppage time only to see his shot blocked and when a minute later Liverpool skipper Jarell Quansah rose to meet a cross at the far post, the Holte End held its breath. The header was straight into the arms of Marschall.

Moments later the whistle blew, substitutes raced on to the pitch and coaching staff embraced to celebrate their triumph.