U18s: Aston Villa 4-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Rory Wilson scored a hat-trick as Aston Villa got their Under-18 Premier League campaign off to a flying start against Tottenham Hotspur.

The hosts were three goals ahead at half-time, with Wilson netting two goals in seven minutes after Charlie Pavey had opened the scoring.

Villa continued to dominate after the break and bagged a fourth when Wilson was on target once again.

It was a sweet victory for the Young Lions, who gained a measure of revenge on Spurs for last season’s Premier League Cup final defeat.

Tottenham began the match on the back foot but came within inches off taking the lead when defender James Rowswell’s driving run ended with a long-range shot that rattled the crossbar.

Shortly after, it was Villa’s turn to strike the frame of the goal as Luka Lynch hit the post after a dazzling solo run.

Pavey’s finishing was inch-perfect after 21 minutes to give his side the lead from outside the box, collecting a pass and setting himself before curling a shot into the top corner.

Jack McDowell headed over from seven yards out but the miss didn’t cost Villa as they quickly netted a second.

Wilson took advantage of Spurs’ high line to race in behind the defence. He rounded the ‘keeper before untangling his feet and lashing the ball past a despairing defender on the goal line.

The Scottish striker didn’t have to wait long for his second of the game, putting the finishing touches on Lynch’s cross four minutes before the break.

Wilson notched his hat-trick in the 54^th minute, showing great awareness to cut-out a back pass, round the ‘keeper and roll the ball into an empty net.

In the Villa goal, Alex Hammond remained largely untroubled as the home team kicked off their league campaign in style.