West Ham U21s 1 Aston Villa U21s 2: Match report Jordan Lyden grabs late victory for Villa youngsters against Hammers 22:00, 24 August 2015By Darren Campbell Aston Villa's U21s struck late to claim all three points against West Ham's youngsters in the Barclays U21 Premier League.Captain Jordan Lyden fired the winner on 84 minutes after Manuel Lanzini had cancelled out Jerell Sellars' first half penalty.The Hammers had the better of the early opportunities, Jed Steer saving from Elliot Lee before Josh Cullen saw his effort crash off the post.But it was Villa who took the lead from the spot on 23 minutes. Khalid Abdo was fouled by Kyle Knoyle in the area and Sellars stroked the ball home.The lead did not last long however, Lanzini levelling for the hosts on 34 minutes after Steer had kept out a previous attempt.Sellars and Rory Hale both had chances for Villa while Nathan Mavila twice came close for the hosts as both teams went in search of a winner in the second half.But it was Lyden who found it for the claret and blues, finishing past home keeper Sam Howes with six minutes remaining to clinch the victory.WEST HAM U21s : Howes, Westley (Akinola 70), Hendrie, Dobson (Nasha 85), Knoyle, Onariase, Rowe (Mavila 60), Cullen, Lee, Lanzini, Samuelsen. Subs not used: Brown, Gordon.ASTON VILLA U21s : Steer, Mason, Kinsella, Lyden, Toner, Suliman, Cowans (O'Hare 71), Hale, Sellars, Abdo (Blackett-Taylor 71), Calder. Subs not used: Leggett, Bannister, Lyons-Foster.
Villa 2 - 0 NorwichTaylor and Humphries the scorers.I really like this years Team. Hard working and very gifted ball players. Small and skillful players who like to pass the ball. As far as I know there are only three second years in the Team. Bannister the keeper, O'hare and Taylor.Taylor has had a good start to the season with a number of goals. Pacy winger.O'Hare is a talent. A bit of a Jack Grealish. Wants the ball even when marked and goes past people. He is an Irish Benny Carbone. Norwich couldn't cope with him today.I like the midfield of Clark and Humphries very much.Norwich were a good Team and you would fancy them in a Tug of War with our Light weights. But we were a little too sharp for them.Some good coaching being done at the Academy I think.
U21 TEAM NEWS: Our youngsters take on Brighton at Walsall this evening.Tiago Ilori, Jose Angel Crespo and Libor Kozak all start.Villa U21: Watkins, Leggett, Ilori, Toner, Crespo, Kinsella, Hale, Lyden (C), Sellars, Abdo, Kozak. Subs: Bannister, Swift, Humphries, O’Hare, Blackett, Taylor.Brighton U21: Smith, Hunt (C), Starkey, Barclay, Goldson, White, Calderon, Crofts, Akindayini, Kandi, Ward. Subs: Vose, Deen, Tilley, Barnett, Tighe.
Villa U21 1-1 Brighton U21 - HT: Jerell Sellars' strike just before the half-time whistle cancelled out Andrew Crofts' opener. It's been an entertaining opening 45 minutes at the Banks's Stadium. The visitors took an early lead after just four minutes but the claret and blues have enjoyed the better possession since and are deservedly level.