Aston Villa Reserves/Academy games & information

[TonyD]

When's the draw?

[Legion]

I'd prefer to win.

[Dante Lavelli]

Has this result been mentioned in any depth by the national media? I read something where we got one line and the Liverpool game was the featured article along with Man City's exit. The fact that we just battered a very good academy side seemingly has been glossed over because we are not Arsenal, Man U or Man City it seems. I really hope the kids can do themselves proud in the knock out stages.

I hear your point but it could actually be looked at as a good thing.  We need more of these players to actually break through to the first team rather than win youth cups.  Obviously these accolades are a great measure of progress along the way but they're not the actual objective and could draw the attention of agents and bigger clubs.

[Steve R]

Sounds like an excellent performance. Any chance Sporting put out weaker team as they were guaranteed top spot?

No, Sporting put out their best team but on all accounts, Villa were up for it and Sporting couldn't cope.
Can't believe I forgot about this game, I'd been looking forward to it for months.

Ironically, there has been a delegation from Zenit St Petersburg at Sporting this week to look at their Academy as it's viewed as one of the best in Europe.

Thanks Mark. Even more impressive then.

Sorry you missed the game. I'd like them to get Ossett Town in the next round.

[Toronto Villa]

Has this result been mentioned in any depth by the national media? I read something where we got one line and the Liverpool game was the featured article along with Man City's exit. The fact that we just battered a very good academy side seemingly has been glossed over because we are not Arsenal, Man U or Man City it seems. I really hope the kids can do themselves proud in the knock out stages.

I hear your point but it could actually be looked at as a good thing.  We need more of these players to actually break through to the first team rather than win youth cups.  Obviously these accolades are a great measure of progress along the way but they're not the actual objective and could draw the attention of agents and bigger clubs.

with all due respect Dante I don't buy that. Success breeds success and we need to win things. These players need to know that they can win things at Aston Villa and be a part of the future and not have to be tempted elsewhere. I think sometimes as a club and fans we are our own worst enemy. We downplay ourselves too much and play the submissive. Look at the Benteke thread for examples of people shitting themselves that our new centre forward is doing so well and is therefore off in two years. Or when Lambert joined us, he was the next coming of Sir Graham and he was going to be the next Dortmund manager. I want those kids to learn how to win so they bring that mentality with them as they graduate to the next level. Hopefully that's with us, though off course that bit is never guaranteed.

[Dante Lavelli]

Sorry Lambo, I did not make my point very clearly (or probably at all).  I want us to win things, I was referring to the lack of media attention.  It might be a good thing that the media are focusing on Man City and Liverpool as it means we can get on with things.   

[OCD]

The U21's just beat Newcastle 3-2 away.

[Mazrim]

Mickey the Cat Drennan is at it again. Goal machine.

[Percy McCarthy]

Hat-trick?

[OCD]

Burke, Drennan and Carruthers.

[Legion]

Team news - Villa U21 v Manchester Utd U21 - 7pm.
 
VILLA: Barrett, Watkins-Clark, Devine, Donacien, Lewis, Barton, Johnson, Carruthers, Stieber, Burke, Drennan. Subs: Robinson, Watkins, O’Brien, Sellars, Cowans.
 
MAN UTD: Sutherland, Vermijl, Buttner, Thorpe, Wootton, Tunnicliffe, Bebe, Powell, Macheda, Petrucci, Cole. Subs: McGinty, Gollini, Veseli, Lawrence, Fornasier.

[PeterWithesShin]

Villa U21 0-0 Man Utd U21 - 15 mins: It's all Villa in the early stages. Daniel Johnson dragged a shot wide after a neat move involving Graham Burke and Andras Stieber down the left. Burke then glided past United midfielder Tony Thorpe before picking out Stieber in space but the Hungarian winger opted to cross rather than shoot. A poor clearance from goalkeeper Jonathan Sutherland was siezed upon by Burke whose volley deflected wide.

[PeterWithesShin]

Villa U21 0-0 Man Utd U21 - 30 mins: Villa still on top. United keeper Jonathan Sutherland made a great save, getting down to push away Graham Burke's effort from a tight angle after a surging run inside from the right by the Villa forward.

[PeterWithesShin]

Villa U21 0-0 Man Utd U21 - HT - A good response from the visitors towards the end of the half. Davide Petrucci miscued with a near post volley from Alexander Buttner's cross, while Tom Thorpe headed wide from a corner. But overall Villa can be happy with their first-half performance.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

It's live on MUTV if anybody's interested.

Villa unchanged for 2nd half.