Villa Reserves and Academy 2024/25 Season

[Dogtanian]

Commentary biased towards City.

And Exeter weren’t even playing.

[Somniloquism]

Commentary biased towards City.

You can watch it from our commentators side now, with better editing.

[Mellin]

Apparently this means we are back in the UEFA Youth League too, even if we don't qualify by virtue of our first team qualifying for the Champions League like we did last year.

Yeah, you have two sides to the UEFA Youth League. The normal 36 team league phase, with 22 qualifying, and an entirely separate path for league winners, which is a pure knockout with three rounds and sees 10 teams qualify. Then they all go in to the last 32.

Was just looking back over this season's results and Red Bull Salzburg lost in the semi-finals to Trabzonspor 2-1. The scorer for Salzburg? John Olof Mellberg, centre-half, born in Birmingham.

Go and get him right now.

[cdbearsfan]

That would be ace.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

What was the attendance on Saturday?

[Somniloquism]

I had heard 10k or so. A lot less then the Cup match but that was also a bank holiday.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

I had heard 10k or so. A lot less then the Cup match but that was also a bank holiday.

Ok. I couldn’t make it myself but I would have expected a few more what with the £1 tickets again. As you say no bank holiday and a first team game the night before were, perhaps, contributing factors.

[cdbearsfan]

That's a pretty good crowd for a youth game outside the Youth Cup, which has always been by far the biggest deal.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

That's a pretty good crowd for a youth game outside the Youth Cup, which has always been by far the biggest deal.

Yeah it certainly is but I just wrongly thought it would be a bit higher given the £1 tickets. I was blinded by the cup final attendance!

Having said that we were talking about it on Friday night and I asked my mate, we all went to the youth cup final, if he was going on Saturday and he said he didn’t fancy it. He thought the final was ok but not something he’d make a concerted effort to go to again. So it’s certainly not for everyone even if they are Villa mad.

[Somniloquism]

Also we had abouts a weeks notice for it so people might have planned other things that day knowing we weren't playing at all. (And that is without Saturday morning also being the time most kids games occur).

But 10k is not to be sniffed at and another good experience for them.

[Percy McCarthy]

Great stuff, and well done to anyone who went down today to support them.

That’s me, wifey and two of the kids.

Great fun. Altogether a lovely Friday and Saturday at VP. Now for the cup final and hopefully more good results to come!

Did you make her pay for the tickets again?

Haha! Yes, I think she might have volunteered again.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Also we had abouts a weeks notice for it so people might have planned other things that day knowing we weren't playing at all. (And that is without Saturday morning also being the time most kids games occur).

But 10k is not to be sniffed at and another good experience for them.

Fair comments.

It’s certainly more than they’re used to playing in front of and for the majority they’ll not play to bigger on a regular basis I’d imagine, although I hope I’m wrong on that.

[Dogtanian]

Kadan Young and Tristan Rowe in the England U19 squad for the competition this summer.

https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2025/may/19/rowe-and-young-in-england-squad/

[OCD]

"England, who won the tournament in 2022"

The team that had a midfield containing A Ramsey, Chukwuemeka and Iroegbunam. Sold to Burnley, sold to Chelsea, sold to Everton.

[Mister E]

Kadan Young and Tristan Rowe in the England U19 squad for the competition this summer.
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2025/may/19/rowe-and-young-in-england-squad/

Surprised Hemmings isn't in there; he looks like a very good prospect.
Ditto Jimoh-Aloba.