Teddy Rowe’s stunning free-kick fired Aston Villa to a 1-0 Premier League Cup victory over Hull City at Bodymoor Heath.
The midfielder stepped up on the stroke of half-time to convert a sublime 20-yard set-piece off the underside of the crossbar.
It proved to be the difference and more than just reward for the dominant Young Lions, who were a constant threat in the final third but came up against a resilient Tigers rearguard.
It ensured the Young Lions moved on to four points in Group A following a 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion in their Premier League Cup opener.
Villa started brightly and captain Tommi O’Reilly flashed a strike across the face of goal before Rico Richards tested Tigers ‘keeper Owen Foster.
Omari Kellyman was next to go close but saw his effort saved by Foster, while O’Reilly had the ball in the net after 17 minutes only to be denied by the offside flag.
The Young Lions were knocking on the door, both Kellyman and Ben Broggio drawing saves from Foster.
But the home side were getting frustrated by an organised Hull side who were proving difficult to break down as the first half wore on.
Yet all that changed on the stroke of half-time as Rowe curled home a superb free-kick off the underside of the crossbar.
O’Reilly fired over the bar from distance early in the second half as the Young Lions continued to dominate.
Villa boss Inigo Idiakez turned to Todd Alcock, Kobei Moore and Kerr Smith just after the hour mark.
And Moore had the ball in the net in the 75th minute but the hosts were again left to rue an offside decision.
Hull substitute Mason Johnson sent an effort off target as the clash approached the latter stages but Villa held firm to claim all three points.
Villa: Marschall, Triston Rowe, Feeney, A O’Reilly (Smith 63), Munroe, Richards (Pierre 85), Iroegbunam (Alcock 61), Teddy Rowe, Broggio (Moore 63), T O’Reilly, Kellyman.
Subs: Wright.
