Aston Villa U-18s. 2025 FA Youth Cup Winners.

[PeterWithe]

I also wanted to highlight the multicultural crowd and how great it was. I was struck by what a friendly atmosphere it was, how mixed it was culturally, age wise, loads of families, women and girls.I was thinking how there’s no where else really where you’d get anything like that mix of people in anything like those numbers enjoying anything else together.

Yup sport does that doesn't it, fantastic. As you mentioned it, that's another thing, not only the diversity of the crowd but that there were so many women there with the kids, plenty of which were wearing headscarves etc. When you think about its thats pretty incredible progress for the game

[Percy McCarthy]

I also wanted to highlight the multicultural crowd and how great it was. I was struck by what a friendly atmosphere it was, how mixed it was culturally, age wise, loads of families, women and girls.I was thinking how there’s no where else really where you’d get anything like that mix of people in anything like those numbers enjoying anything else together.

Yup sport does that doesn't it, fantasticd. As you mentioned it, that's another thing, not only the diversity of the crowd but that there were so many women there with the kids, plenty of which were wearing headscarves etc. When you think about its thats pretty incredible progress for the game

Indeed. And for non-altruistic reasons, it’s great for the club too. Imagine how big the ground would have to be if everyone from Aston, Newtown, Winson Green, Lozells, Nechells, Alum Rock, Perry Barr and Handsworth wanted to go like they used to.

[PeterWithe]

Its certainly a conunderum, Ive said for a while that the crowd seems pretty much to be getting older together, not surprising given the prices, particularly this year. Today was eye opening on what the potential could be, but what is affordable to what can come through, todays £1 isn't sustainable but whats the tipping point?

[waynejames]

I agree with the above posts…It was great to see and hear so many first timers down the Villa today…quite a few asking stewards for help around VP today.
I think it would be a great idea to have say 2-300 tickets at discounted prices per home match in a ballot for local residents to apply for.
The financial hit would be a drop in the ocean for the club and we would be potentially gaining some supporters for life at VP

[PeterWithe]

It was great to see and hear so many first timers down the Villa today…quite a few asking stewards for help around VP today.
I think it would be a great idea to have say 2-300 tickets at discounted prices per home match in a ballot for local residents to apply for.
The financial hit would be a drop in the ocean for the club and we would be potentially gaining some supporters for life at VP

Yes it would be a great idea, but I'm sure can all anticipate the somewhat depressing reaction there would be to this idea from some quarters.

[BC54 VFC]

Great photos, Percy.

[Somniloquism]

I know it was a bit of a longer distance but thought they might have run towards The Holte at the final whistle rather than towards the tunnel on the trinity side.

From the pictures straight at the end, a few were celebrating with family in the trinity by the Tunnel, then they went up to the Holte for a celebration. Then went back to the Trinity tunnel for the presentation, then back to the Holte.

[Percy McCarthy]

Great photos, Percy.

Thanks mate. My boy could have worn one of this year’s shirts, he’s got enough of the buggers. That’s what happens when they get old enough to dress themselves.

[dave.woodhall]

It was great to see and hear so many first timers down the Villa today…quite a few asking stewards for help around VP today.
I think it would be a great idea to have say 2-300 tickets at discounted prices per home match in a ballot for local residents to apply for.
The financial hit would be a drop in the ocean for the club and we would be potentially gaining some supporters for life at VP

Yes it would be a great idea, but I'm sure can all anticipate the somewhat depressing reaction there would be to this idea from some quarters.

It was bad enough on here when they did it.

[Brazilian Villain]

It was great to see and hear so many first timers down the Villa today…quite a few asking stewards for help around VP today.
I think it would be a great idea to have say 2-300 tickets at discounted prices per home match in a ballot for local residents to apply for.
The financial hit would be a drop in the ocean for the club and we would be potentially gaining some supporters for life at VP

Yes it would be a great idea, but I'm sure can all anticipate the somewhat depressing reaction there would be to this idea from some quarters.

In fairness, some people here have been on the season ticket waiting list for quite some time now.

[Nev]

Game, result or report not on BBC or Sky anywhere

Not even mentioned on sky sports news .

I recall the final against Everton when Rooney played. They lost over two legs but within 18 months that turned into a win via a combination of Chinese whispers and lazy punditry.

[ozzjim]

5 plus years on the waiting list.

I went to the semi and the final, and 2 of the most enjoyable afternoons/ evenings I have had all year. A lot of focus on Jimoh Aloba because he has made his first team debut, but there are a number of that side that can go on and have really good careers in the game.

I really like the number 8 in midfield, looks to be able to do both sides of the game really well, Rowe at right back looks a player and the 2 centre halves impressed me in both games. Carroll especially.

[Smithy]

Game, result or report not on BBC or Sky anywhere

Not even mentioned on sky sports news .

I recall the final against Everton when Rooney played. They lost over two legs but within 18 months that turned into a win via a combination of Chinese whispers and lazy punditry.

I remember watching both of those legs (at the time, the Moore brothers were touted as the "next big things" for us, so I wanted to see them in action), they both scored, but the reality is Rooney was head and shoulders above them (and fortunately for us, far too good for his own team mates as well).  He was like a bloke playing against kids at times.  Our best player, I thought, was the little lad in the middle who went on to have a pretty good International career, Steven Davis.

Five of that Youth Cup winning side went on to make first-team appearances for us (Ridgewell, Whittingham, Davis, Moore x 2).  I'd love to think 5 of the current lot will go on to wear a first-team shirt, but that might be expecting too much given the level we're currently at.

The unfortunate reality is that this crop will probably be considered "successful" if they can generate more cash when sold than their 2021 counterparts.  Sigh.

Fun fact, former Villan Steve Sidwell won the FA Youth Cup twice, with Arsenal, scoring in both legs of his first final when he was still a year younger than the other players.

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

Brilliant!  Well done to the kids. XXX

At least one Villa team has won a trophy this season!

[cdbearsfan]

Game, result or report not on BBC or Sky anywhere

Now on the BBC. No idea why they've decided to focus on the Man City defeat rather than the team that actually won the trophy, mind...

Man City beaten in Youth Cup final by Aston Villa - https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cgjl3j8xqjvo