U18s: Aston Villa 3-1 Arsenal

Aston Villa recorded an impressive 3-1 victory over Arsenal in the Under-18 Premier League South on Saturday.

The Young Lions held a 2-0 advantage at the break courtesy of Elian Quesada-Thorn’s own goal and Kobei Moore’s injury-time header.

Jack McDowell added a third shortly after the restart to put the Villans in dreamland at Bodymoor Heath before the in-form Gunners registered a late consolation through Ismail Oulad M’Hand’s free-kick.

Charlie Lutz saw red in added time as Villa finished the encounter with 10 men but claimed their second win of the campaign.

Finley Munroe drilled an early effort narrowly wide before Moore went close for the hosts.

And it was Villa who broke the deadlock in the 32^nd minute as Munroe’s deep cross was met by Quesada-Thorn, who attempted to nod the ball back to Alexei Rojas but sent a looping header over the stranded goalkeeper and into his own net.

Sam Proctor got down well to tip away from Sebastian Ferdinand before Moore forced a fine save from Rojas at the other end.

But the Villa forward was not to be denied as the first period drew to a close, heading into an empty net from yards out after impressive work from Luka Lynch down the left channel to double Villa’s advantage.

And it was 3-0 in the 54^th minute as Munroe sent in a fine delivery from a set-piece and McDowell rose highest to head home amid a congested penalty area.

Moore saw his long-range strike tipped over the crossbar as Villa continued to threaten.

Yet it was Oulad M’Hand who struck next for Arsenal, curling a fine free-kick over the wall in the 82^nd minute, before Lutz received a second yellow card late on as Villa secured all three points.