Aston Villa Youth 2 Chelsea FC Youth 0

[EskWeston 696]

Last season's FA Youth Cup semi-finalists were in opposition again this weekend but with the outcome reversed. New younger players have come into both sides since the two-legged encounter last spring but plenty of names remained the same with Nana Ofori-Twumasi, Ben Gordon, Michael Woods and Frank Nouble in action for Chelsea.

Villa retained centre-backs Matthew Roome and England Under 19 captain Ciaran Clark, plus Harry Forrester, Dominic Hofbauer and striker James Collins.

Chelsea's best football came in the second-half but by then our youth side were two goals down.

Despite playing some good football, neither side was able to fashion many chances before the break but near the half-hour mark, the home team took the lead from a corner.

The ball in just cleared Jordan Tabor's head and dropped in the right place to be turned past Chelsea right-back Nikki Ahamed (pictured) on the line.

Just before half-time, Villa went two-up. Forrester made a penetrating run down the line and into the box before Billy-Joe King tackled and brought the winger down without making contact with the ball. The penalty was converted.

At half-time, youth team manager Paul Clement made a couple of changes, switching to 3-4-3 and his side began to control the game and make good chances.

Two strong penalty claims were turned down. Tabor played a ball into the box which Ahamed reached first at the far-post. He touched it across the face of goal and was clattered by the keeper.

Later, midfielder Conor Clifford struck a real cracker of a shot which retreating Villa defender Clark pushed over the bar with his hand. As previously, the offence went unspotted.

Between those incidents, Chelsea missed two good chances, Nouble and then Daniel Philliskirk heading over the bar.

Clement reports: 'It was a good game and we played quite well in the second-half. We created some good opportunities but unfortunately didn't get the break with some of the decisions. On another day, we would have had both of the penalty claims given.

'We are looking forward to playing at home next weekend after being away to Newcastle and Villa.

'We were good at Newcastle and played quite well this weekend but lost both games which is disappointing. Hopefully against Reading we can get a result to match our recent performances.'

Chelsea: Niclas Heimann; Nikki Ahamed, Nana Ofori-Twumasi, Billy-Joe King (Jack Saville), Ben Gordon; Conor Clifford, Michael Woods, Josh McEachran (Billy Knott); Frank Nouble, Daniel Philliskirk ©, Jordan Tabor.

Source: Chelsea FC

[EskWeston 696]

The U18's have now gone all pre season and 3 league games and have not yet picked up a win. There are a lot of young players in the team which makes it harder for sure. But i am sure Paul would like to see us picking up some wins now.

One thing that is of concern is that we are seriously lacking in Centre Backs at this level. No proper centre back pairing is being played:

v Aston Villa - Ofori-Twumasi & King (Right back and Left Back)

v Newcastle - Philliskirk & King (Striker and Left Back)

v Crewe - Philliskirk & Saville (Striker and Centre Back)

So in all the league games so far we have had a centre back on the pitch once! Against QPR in the friendly there was a centre back pairing of Camilleri & Saville but so far in the league we are yet to see a proper pairing. I would think that would be something of concern for Paul. It can not help the development of the players playing out of position all the time.

[EskWeston 696]

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