Liverpool U18s fell to a narrow loss at the hands of Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon as the young Reds were edged 3-2 at Bodymoor Heath.

It was Neil Critchley's side's penultimate game of a thrilling season, and his charges were keen to produce a repeat of their 3-1 FA Youth Cup win over Villa earlier in the campaign.

Pedro Chirivella's early goal handed them a perfect start in the match; however, the home side were resurgent and hit three without reply to snatch a two-goal advantage in the tie.

Late in the game, Jerome Sinclair pulled one back for the Reds, keeping his calm from close-range after a scramble deep inside in the penalty area.

Unfortunately for the visitors, Villa held on and the final score was 3-2. The U18s will now apply all their focus to the final game of their season against Bolton on Friday, May 2.

Liverpool U18s: Firth, Maguire, Brewitt, Cleary, Hart, Chirivella, Phillips (Ojo), Trickett-Smith, O'Hanlon, Canos (Wilson), Sinclair.