AcademyU18s match report: Liverpool edged out by Villa in PL Cup opener

The U18 national champions and FA Youth Cup winners last season, Villa’s threat was evident from the early stages at the Kirkby Academy and they raced into a two-goal lead.

Only 11 minutes had elapsed when Woody Burgess was able to set his sights from the edge of the area and promptly lashed a left-footed finish into the top corner to put the visitors ahead.

That opener came within a flurry of efforts. La’more Lee Forrester had previously worked the goalkeeper after cutting infield from the left and Ellis Hickman’s well-struck drive was also denied by Owen Asemota following the concession.

And two more goals were delivered before the midway point of the half.

First, Villa stretched their lead to two, capitalising on a squandering of possession from Liverpool near the area. Markie Meade ran clear of the home defence and supplied the final touch for 2-0.

Simon Wiles’ Reds struck back just three minutes later, however, with the clock showing 21. Joe Bradshaw was the creator, making ground on the right-hand side and setting up Josh Sonni-Lambie to net and give his team a foothold.

The home side continued to rally throughout the remainder of the half and three times came close to getting back on level terms.

From a short free-kick outside the box, AJ Yeguo connected well with a strike that was deflected wide, before Bradshaw fired over the crossbar from Hickman’s lay-up and Sonni-Lambie missed the target at the end of a Liverpool counter-attack.

That pressure overlapped into the second period, with Bradshaw and Sonni-Lambie combining on multiple occasions without ultimately finding the net.

The Reds were inches away from doing so just shy of the hour. A breakaway from a Villa corner saw an excellent Joe Upton pass release Forrester, whose shot was superbly tipped onto the bar by Asemota.

Home appeals for a penalty - Forrester was caught in a challenge as he took aim, and had to be taken off - were waved away.

Upton himself was then thwarted by a great block, while at the other end Bailey Hall reacted well to keep out a curler from Vinnie Hayward.

Liverpool were doing everything but score, though Villa’s Harry Pinnell almost did it for them, the defender narrowly avoiding an own goal as he deflected behind a DJ Esdaille cross.

Scofield Lonmeni was just wide with a fizzing effort moments before the Reds’ hopes took a hit with Harvey Owen sent off for a second yellow card on 76 minutes.

Still they kept going to no avail, Alvin Ayman’s header saved and, resulting from a goalmouth scramble, Bradshaw’s strike on target blocked before it could cross the line, as Villa held out for the victory.

Team

Liverpool: Hall, Esdaille, Ayman, Cisse, Owen, Upton (Inglethorpe, 72), Bradshaw, Hickman (Murray-Holme, 60), Sonni-Lambie, Yeguo (Conde, 84), Forrester (Lonmeni, 60).

Unused sub: Bernard.

Next up

Wiles’ side are back in U18 Premier League North action on Saturday (August 30), travelling to Burnley for an 11am BST kick-off.

Their next confirmed fixture in the U18 Premier League Cup is an away clash with Leicester City on Saturday October 4 at 12pm.