The Villa Match Zone

U23s – Villa Beat Reading To Reach Play-Off Final

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Aston Villa’s Under 23 side took victory over Reading last night in the Play-Off semi-final tie at Villa Park.

Having finished second in the Premier League 2 Division 2 table and narrowly missed out to Blackburn Rovers in the title race, home advantage saw us through in the one-legged affair.

Following a goalless first period that was largely balanced, the game exploded into life in the second 45 and fans were treated to a seven-goal show.

Reading broke the deadlock initially to take advantage but within minutes of their opening strike, Villa had taken a 2-1 lead as we replied in impeccable fashion.

Reading rallied and brought the scores level on two occasions as the game drew on but they had no answer for our fourth and the winner in stoppage time as we booked our place in the Play-Off Final which will also take place at Villa Park.

The Premier League Cup final has been set at the Liberty Stadium on Friday, May 4 in other news. Whether this game is streamed remains to be seen but our youngsters are still on for one hell of a good finish to the year.

Aston Villa:

Sarkic, Clark, Suliman (C), Bedeau, Bree, Doyle-Hayes, Prosser, Clarke, O’Hare, Davis (Hepburn-Murphy 55), Green (Taylor-Blackett 55).

Subs:

Johansson, Borg, Mooney.

Yellows – Sarkic (59), Hepburn-Murphy (90+6).
Goals – Hepburn-Murphy (62, 90+4), Suliman (64), Taylor-Blackett (79).
Assists – Doyle-Hayes (64), Hepburn-Murphy (79).

Reading:

Southwood, Holmes, McIntyre (Nolan 90+5), Watson (Howe 66), Medford-Smith, Osho (C), Rinomhota, East, Frost, House, Loader.

Subs:

Driscoll, Rollinson, Burley.

Yellows – Medford-Smith (63).
Goals – Osho (61), McIntyre (75), Howe (81).
Assists – Frost (61), East (75).

Referee – Joseph Johnson.

Match
Stats
Aston Villa
Reading
48
Possession
52
6
Shots on Target
5
8
Shots
10
78
Touches
71
3
Clearances
1
9
Corners
6
2
Offsides
0
2
Yellow Cards
1
5
Fouls Conceded
9

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