U18s: Aston Villa 3-1 Reading

Aston Villa came from behind to record a 3-1 victory over Reading in the Under-18 Premier League on Saturday.

The Royals took the lead courtesy of Taylan Harris’ finish just before half-time, but Villa levelled matters through Abube Onuchukwu’s header early in the second half.

Rory Wilson then fired the hosts in front shortly after the hour mark, leaving Trai-Varn Mulley to add a third in the closing stages.

The victory at Bodymoor Heath ensures the Young Lions have now won four of their opening seven league matches.

Villa went into the encounter on the back of a draw at Leicester City and emphatic home victory over West Bromwich Albion.

Onuchukwu forced a save from Royals goalkeeper Toby Mawer before Nile Timson sent his header against a post as Villa pushed for the opener.

But it was the visitors who made the breakthrough in the 42^nd minute as Harris converted from close range.

Yet a well-worked corner routine saw Villa level in the 49^th minute as Onuchukwu headed home Charlie Pavey’s cross.

Pavey saw his strike deflected wide before Wilson was denied by Mawer as the Young Lions applied pressure in search of a second.

And they duly got it in the 66^th minute as Villa goalkeeper Sam Proctor collected the ball in his own penalty area and launched a long pass upfield for Wilson to beat his man and slot through the legs of Mawer.

Villa then added a third in the closing stages as Mulley arrived at the back post to net Ewan Simpson’s low cross from close range.