Adama Traore played his first 90 minutes in claret and blue as Villa recorded their first Barclays U21 Premier League victory of the season.Mark Bunn, Nathan Baker, Joe Bennett, Carles Gil and Jack Grealish also featured in an entertaining affair at St George's Park.It didn't take Traore long to adapt to his new surroundings and for the man signed from Barcelona to get spectators on their feet.With his first touch, he picked up the ball in his own half, charged past three players towards the right byline and crossed for Gil, who could only fire his shot wide.However, while Villa played the possession football, their hosts from the East Midlands were more direct.The claret and blues were indebted to goalkeeper Bunn - saving low from Ivan Calero's dangerous free-kick.Meanwhile, defender Easah Suliman was in the thick of the action at both ends - blocking Mason Bennett's goalbound effort and heading over from a pinpoint Jack Grealish corner.Villa took the lead on 30 minutes through former U21 star, Grealish - the winger firing a low effort home after a neat attacking move involving Traore and Gil.Both outfits were quick out of the blocks after the break.The lively Mason Bennett stung the gloves of Bunn to maintain Villa's lead.Gil's wonderful through ball was met by Grealish and just like his opposite number, Jonathan Mitchell was equal to it.Much like in the first period, Villa began to turn the screw with the Derby defenders struggling to deal with the pace and crisp passing of Gil, Grealish and Traore.Spaniard Gil embarked on a mazy run, found the onrushing Bennett up from the back but the left-back's shot was palmed to safety.Just after the hour, there was a huge let off for the visitors as Offrande Zanzala's header crashed off the bar.The Rams were guilty of missing a host of chances with Ivan Calero going closest.As the game drew to a close, Villa had to be resilient as goalkeeper Mitchell came up for - and met - a corner but he was adjudged to have committed a foul in the box.Derby County U21s: Mitchell, Ssewankambo, Wassall, Koblenz, Lowe; Bird, Vernam, Santos (Gordon, 72), Bennett (Bunjaku, 67), Calero; Zanzala. Substitutes not used: Barnes (GK), Tuite, Cover.Aston Villa U21s: Bunn, Leggett, Bennett (Kinsella, 85), Lyden, Baker, Suliman, Traore, Hale (Calder, 82), Sellars, Grealish, Gil (McKirdy, 71). Substitutes not used: Watkins, Cowans.
Desperate to see some footage.. apparently Gil, Jack and Traore were fantastic together.
Juventus U15s 1 Aston Villa U14s 1
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Topic: Youth, Reserves and Ladies 2015-16 (Read 85657 times)
