Samir Nabi's West Brom goal beats Villa
Samir Nabi grabbed the only goal of the game as West Brom's Under-21 side beat Aston Villa 1-0 despite finishing the clash with nine men.
Nabi scored after just six minutes in a match that saw Baggies duo Callum McManaman and Callum Jones both dismissed for two bookable offences.
Albion needed a win to stay in the running for a play-off place in the Barclays U-21 Premier League Division Two and made the perfect start.
McManaman tricked his way into the penalty area and was brought down by Villa's Joshua Webb.
Nabi saw goalkeeper Matija Sarkic save his penalty, but the midfielder reacted quickest to convert the rebound.
The away side responded with Jack Grealish and Kevin Toner both going close to equalising. Goalkeeper Alex Palmer then made two crucial saves to deny Keinan Davis and Adama Traore.
Villa started the second period brightly and only a goal-line clearance by Callum Jones denied Grealish.
The Baggies were reduced to 10 men when McManaman was shown a second yellow for simulation. Jones followed in the last 10 minutes following a late challenge on Khalid Abdou.
