U21s: Aston Villa 0-4 Chelsea

Aston Villa suffered a 4-0 defeat to high-flying Chelsea in Premier League 2 on Monday night.

Dujuan Richards bagged a brace inside the opening quarter to put the visitors firmly in command at Bodymoor Heath, Deivid Washington also rattling the crossbar.

Villa enjoyed a spell of pressure either side of half-time, substitutes Rory Wilson and Kyrie Pierre going close for the Young Lions.

But it was Chelsea who struck on the counter to add a third just after the hour, Richards setting up Washington, before sub Donnell McNeilly converted a fourth in injury time as battling Villa were left without reward.

Villa’s Under-21s are next in action on Friday night as they host Coventry City at Villa Park in the semi-finals of the Birmingham Senior Cup. Tickets are available now, secure your seat.

Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba tried his luck early on but it was Richards who opened the scoring for the visitors following a neat touch and well-taken finish over James Wright.

And Richards doubled both his tally and Chelsea’s lead 10 minutes later as he latched on to a long ball over the top from goalkeeper Ted Curd, cut inside and found the bottom corner.

Washington struck the crossbar with a stinging effort as Chelsea threatened to extend their advantage.

But Villa finished the first half strongly as both Kobei Moore and Travis Patterson were denied by Curd.

Villa made a triple change at the interval as Pierre, Wilson and fit-again Sil Swinkels were introduced.

And the home side continued the second half where they left off, on the front foot, with Wilson heading over a golden opportunity from Kadan Young’s right-wing cross.

The Villans continued to push forward and Pierre was next to go agonisingly close with a flicked finish from Wilson’s pass.

Chelsea enjoyed a spell of pressure on the hour mark, Wright making a couple of fine saves, and it was the visitors who grabbed the critical third goal on the counter-attack just after the hour mark.

Richards was again the threat as he surged forwards before squaring for an unmarked Washington, who picked his spot to slot past Wright.

Chelsea sub McNeilly dragged a chance wide while Young was twice denied by Curd at the other end.

Half-chances continued to come for both sides as the clash wore on, with Aidan Borland’s curling effort parried by Curd in injury time.

Villa pressed for the consolation they deserved but it was Chelsea who added a fourth, again on the counter-attack, in the 95^th minute as McNeilly raced through and finished past Wright.