Young Lions prepare for Youth Cup semi-final

Aston Villa Under-18s are preparing for a mouth-watering FA Youth Cup semi-final clash with Manchester United at Villa Park on Monday evening.

Tickets are still available for the tie in B6, by clicking here, with Jimmy Shan’s Young Lions now just 90 minutes away from the final of the prestigious competition they have won on four occasions.

Having already overcame Accrington Stanley, Newcastle United and Bristol City in this season’s competition, the Villans defeated Plymouth Argyle 3-0 at Villa Park in their final outing before the international break.

Shan is encouraged by the close vicinity of their quarter-final and semi-final ties, though expects the Red Devils to provide a much different challenge to the Pilgrims. 

He said: “Our group disperses quite regularly because a lot of the players that play in the Youth Cup games play for the (under-)21s, so to have the fixtures so close together will be very, very good.

“Having said that, I think the games will be totally different games. Plymouth probably paid us a lot of respect and sat off and sat deep and frustrated us with defending deep and restricting space.

“Man United are very, very front foot, so I’m hoping for a more open game on Monday night.”

The encounter will provide the Young Lions with another opportunity to turn out on Villa Park’s hallowed turf in front of a local crowd, having done so in the previous round, and also in this season’s Vertu Trophy and UEFA Youth League.

For many of the scholars, the Plymouth victory was their first taste of action in B6, and Shan has called for his side to again relish the experience.

“It’s big for the boys, just to familiarise themselves with their surroundings and playing in stadiums,” he added.

“It doesn’t matter how big the crowd is, having people there cheering and shouting your name, and your loved ones in there, it’s a different environment, a different stimulus. It’s a great occasion that the boys can play in the stadium.

“For many of our players, it would have been their first time on the Villa Park pitch (against Plymouth). Having done it once takes it out of the way, and maybe some of those pre-game nerves or excitement, it reduces those. It’s been a massive help.”

One of the players making their debut at Villa Park in the quarter-final was versatile defender TJ Carroll.

At 18, he has been at the club for 10 years. He is keen to emulate the FA Youth Cup success of 2021, and is excited for the challenge.

“Me and the lads are buzzing for it”, he said. “It’s been our goal from the start of the season to win it (FA Youth Cup).

“I know some of the boys who won it (in 2021). Aaron (Ramsey), Carney (Chukwuemeka). What they did a few years ago, I watched that on TV. It was really inspiring to see.

“Me being there now, in the semi-final, I just want to replicate what they did, and win the trophy.

“Man United’s going to be a big test for us. They’re at the top of their league. I’m buzzing for it.”

Carroll is another benefitting from the experience of tasting action at Villa Park, and is eager for he and his team-mates to make history of their own.

He concluded: “It was actually my first time playing there (Villa Park), and I’ve been here 10 years, so it was a really proud moment for me.

“Villa’s where I aspire to play, so getting used to it now is going to be even better for me in the long run.

“As a team we’re eager to win this trophy. I think this trophy is probably the biggest you’re going to get in youth football, so we’re all going to give it our all to go all the way.”

Secure your place for Monday night’s tie by clicking below.