U18 Report: Aston Villa 1-1 Saints

Craig Fleming made three changes to his side for the visit to Bodymoor Heath. Archie Thomas and Alex Cull came into the starting eleven, whilst Jamie Bradley-Green replaced the injured Aaron O’Driscoll in the heart of defence.

Rowthorn picked up the captain's armband in O’Driscoll’s absence and the midfielder soon broke the deadlock for Saints.

Tyreke Johnson's whipped free-kick from the right was parried by Emmanuel Idem into the penalty area, and Rowthorn reacted first to rifle home the rebound from close range.

Despite falling behind, Villa soon fought back to level through their own captain. A surging run resulted in a free-kick for the hosts on the edge of the area, which Doyle-Hayes duly dispatched into Cull’s top left corner.

There was a chance for Fleming’s men to reclaim the lead in the closing seconds of the first-half. Harrison Davis burst down the right flank and crossed for Michael Obafemi who, having shrugged off his man, dragged his shot agonisingly wide of the far post.

Saints used the interval to make one change, as Cull made way in goal for Adam Parkes.

Having started the second half brightly, Harlem Hale almost put Saints ahead as he bounded through into the area and released an effort goalwards, only to be denied by the outstretched left arm of Idem.

The Villa goalkeeper had to be alert again moments later as Johnson's left-footed free-kick threatened to slip in just under his crossbar, but he was able to push the ball away to safety.

Fleming then made his second change of the afternoon as Jonathan Afolabi come on in place of Obafemi.

Johnson was the leading protagonist for Saints in the closing stages as they went in search of a winner.

With ten minutes to play the winger cut inside from the left flank to play Afolabi in on goal, but the ball fell just too far ahead of the substitute.

Moments later Johnson burst down to the left byline and delivered a dangerous cross into the Villa penalty area, but Idem rose above Hale and Afolabi to punch clear and ensure a share of the points.