U21, Youth and Ladies 2013/14

[pooligan]

Spurs U18 4  Villa U18 5  Good win for the Youths earlier this evening

[cdbearsfan]

Was thinking rather than just the thread recently posted advertising the Villa v Blues Ladies Game, we could maybe have a general thread to keep up-to-date with how the Villa Ladies are getting on? If a Mod agrees, maybe sticky this please?

They play in the Summer now so at least can give us something to keep us occupied till Villa get bought out by billionaires and Jurgen Klopp takes over as manager.

Anyhow, they're now in WSL2 which is basically the women's equivalent of the Championship. They won the Premier League Cup (then open to clubs in the second tier) last year for the first time in their history.

They drew 1-1 in their latest encounter.

"FAWSL 2 match
Yeovil Town Ladies FC Goal Scorers: Tewkesbury 10'
Aston Villa Ladies FC Goal Scorers: Baptiste 46'

Report
Team sheet
Gallery
Yeovil Ladies 1-1 Villa Ladies

Tash Baptiste strike earns draw.

By Liz Owen

A dominant second-half performance earned Aston Villa Ladies a valuable point against Yeovil Town Ladies, a game in which a first victory of the season would certainly have been justified.

Tasha Baptiste, making her first start in the FA Women's Super League 2 for Villa, struck shortly after the interval and was the spearhead of various opportunities as the development team star thoroughly impressed for the first team.

She was one of five changes to the Villa side which lost 2-0 to Birmingham City Ladies in the Continental Cup on Tuesday, as Maisie Baker and Hayley Crackle were also handed their first FAWSL starts.

Alicia Robinson and Livy Fergusson, too, earned a place in the starting line-up, as Maddy Cusack, Dani Petrovic, Chloe Jones and Carly Davies all dropped to the bench, while Erin Vaughan missed out due to injury.

After conceding in the early stages once again, Villa hit back through Baptiste just seconds after the interval.

Following a pass from the back line, Baptiste was instantly on the offensive down the right-hand side and a first-time shot was blocked by a green and white shirt as a Yeovil defender challenged for possession.

But the 22-year-old won it back as the ball broke free into her path and she took it forward to slot calmly past Glovers 'keeper Rachel Simkin.

Villa's revival came after Jemma Tewkesbury had broken the deadlock just 12 minutes in for Yeovil.

From a right-sided cross, Tewkesbury found herself with enough space at the far post to meet the ball and flick a crafty volley over Caitlin Leach and into the top corner.

As well as a roaming header from a corner which struck the post, the Glovers were initially going closest with the attacking chances created.

Leach was forced into action several times throughout the first half, saving again from Tewkesbury after 18 minutes following good work from Laura Bray, who dodged claret-and-blue shirts in the centre of midfield to pick out her team-mate with a pinpoint pass across the pitch.

Jade Kirby and Katie Cook kept Leach on her toes as the 'keeper proved her worth with some strong stops.

But Villa began to push on toward the end of the half and Fergusson in particular was industrious up front, working hard against a sharp Yeovil defence.

It was who really made an impression on the crowd of 201 as she came into her own during the second half.

Her quick-fire equaliser set the tone for Villa who looked hungry and determined and totally bossed the rest of the game.

A diving header and two looping long-range efforts from Baptiste tested Simkin, who almost dropped one of them as it curled trickily, looking for a way under the crossbar.

And the striker demonstrated her power and pace as she roared past Glovers captain Rachael Edwards and bore down on goal after 76 minutes, before the defender recovered sufficiently and made an important challenge to send the ball behind.

After coming off the bench against Birmingham on Tuesday, the fantastic Baptiste was replaced with four minutes remaining by Davies, who created a great opportunity of her own.

As Villa continued to press, Davies charged into the penalty area in the final minute and was brought down by Simkin.

The referee kept the game going but Davies was clearly unhappy as she loudly complained that Simkin had not won the ball.

Cusack and Jones had earlier entered the fray in place of Fergusson and Robinson as Villa focused their attentions up front while retaining enough strength to thwart Yeovil.

The Glovers' most creative outlet Tewkesbury, meanwhile, was withdrawn with 20 minutes to go as the hosts were wary of the effects of playing two games in two days following their Continental Cup clash away at Bristol Rovers Academy on Thursday.

This meant that Yeovil were restricted to very few second-half chances, with Cook's narrow miss, an off-target Helen Bleazard free-kick and a tame Paige Stewart effort making up their most threatening ventures into Villa's half as Baker and Jade Richards stood firm at centre-back.

Aston Villa Ladies: Leach, Crackle, Walker, McCue (c), Baker, Richards, Fergusson (Cusack, 68), Moran, Baptiste (Davies, 86), Mayling, Robinson (Jones, 78). Used subs: Courtney, Petrovic, Merrick, Stringer."

[Legion]

It can be added to the existing Reserve and Youth thread.

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

The Hong Kong 7's are underway!
SATURDAY MAY 24

GROUP D: Villa 2-0 HKFA U21s - [Johnson 2]
GROUP D: Villa 2-0 Yau Yee League Select [Johnson 2]
GROUP D: Villa 2-0 Leicester - [Grealish, Webb]
Semi Final etc. Tommorow.

[ozzjim]

Reading the reports surely Daniel Johnson and Grealish will get a chances next season.

[Matt Collins]

The soccer sevens have proven to be absolutely useless in giving us a feel for who will make it

I always think Daniel johnson looks really talented. But presumably there's a reason he's never really even been in the squad despite being pretty experienced by now?

[Clampy]

The soccer sevens have proven to be absolutely useless in giving us a feel for who will make it

I always think Daniel johnson looks really talented. But presumably there's a reason he's never really even been in the squad despite being pretty experienced by now?

I watched an U21 game live on AVTV a couple of months ago and he looked really good. He was playing a holding midfield type role and it seemed to suit him.

I like Donacien and Michael Drennan looks as if he might be a half decent goalscorer as well.

[TheMalandro]

I had no idea Cowan's son was on the books! Anyone seen anything of him?

[dcdavecollett]

Mal,

Yes, he looks a good player though he's been out for several months through injury.

Then again, he is a Villa player!

[villasjf]

Well done to Aston Villa for winning the HK soccer sevens beating Rangers in the final.

[Clampy]

Well done to Aston Villa for winning the HK soccer sevens beating Rangers in the final.

We didn't win it, we just won the Shield trophy. We went out the proper tournament in the quarter finals.

[villasjf]

Sorry yes just re checked.

[Legion]

3-1. Grealish (2) Johnson

[claret and blue blood]

Watched Callum Robinson play for England U19 against Scotland tonight at Burton .He came on early in the second half and helped England come from behind to win 2-1 with two goals from Chelsea's Lewis Baker.Robinson did well,looking lively and had a few half chances seems to be enjoying things hope he keeps progressing.

[cdbearsfan]

Villa Ladies beat Millwall two-nil in their latest match.

Highlights here.