U18 Report: Saints 0-2 Aston Villa
Southampton Under-18s fell to a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa in their first home game of the Under-18s Premier League season on Saturday afternoon.
Saints produced some promising attacks in the game and saw Sufianu Sillah Dibaga strike the post, but Villa claimed the win after a brace from striker Rory Wilson.
The first shot on target of the contest came courtesy of Villa wide man Luka Lynch when he cut in from the right and struck a low show that was saved at the near post by Saints goalkeeper Josh Jeffries.
The first Saints attack of the game saw striker Josh Pitts played in behind the Villa backline with a lofted pass, but his eventual shot from a narrow angle flew wide.
It was Villa who took the lead in the 18th minute when Travis Patterson’s shot was parried out, but Wilson was on hand turn home the follow-up from close range.
Saints looked for a quick response and neat play around the Villa area saw Will Merry presented with an opportunity to fire goalwards, but his effort was well blocked.
Will Merry looked to find a Saints equaliser. (Photos: Craig Hobbs)
Shortly before the half-time interval, Villa almost doubled their advantage when Patterson claimed a loose ball close to the Saints area and struck a fierce shot that was well palmed over by Jeffries.
Jeffries was then on hand again to make another important stop as he prevented Charlie Pavey from scoring after cutting in from the left, but it Saints who enjoyed a strong spell towards the end of the first-half.
The home side carried that momentum into the second period and both wingers, Sillah Dibaga and Merry, had been lively and created chances after the break.
Merry cut in from the left but could only aim his effort straight at Villa goalkeeper Sam Proctor, before Sillah Dibaga followed up his own shot from close range but sliced against the post.
Sufianu Sillah Dibaga struck the post.
Much of the second-half saw both teams tussling for full control of the contest and a number of promising attacks saw Saints unable to draw level.
Villa took advantage when Cole Brannigan produced a good ball across goal from the left and Wilson was again on hand to provide the finishing touch at the back post.
Saints’ final effort of the game came courtesy of Jay Robinson, who fired over the bar after forcing his way into a central position from out wide.
Saints are in action again on Saturday 26th August when they travel away to take on Brighton and Hove Albion, with kick-off at 11am.
Saints: Jeffries, Williams, Moore, Okunola-Matthews (Bailey 65), Sheaf (Hartness 46), Andrews (c), Sillah Debaga, Sesay, Pitts (Oyekunle 60), Robinson, Merry.
Subs not used: Upstell, Christophers.
Yellow cards: Sheaf 36
Aston Villa: Proctor, Katsukunya, Fortes (Moreland 76), McDowell (Mulley 89), Timson, Simpson (Edwards 64), Lynch, Patterson (Borland 64), Wilson (c), Pavey (Brannigan 77), Broggio.
Subs not used: N/A
Goals: Wilson 18, 81.
Yellow cards: Fortes 35, McDowell 73, Borland 90+1.
