U23s

Aston Villa U23 2-3 Sunderland U23



Will Harris’ second hat-trick of the season in the space of 10 second-half minutes helped secure a remarkable victory for Sunderland Under-23s against Aston Villa at Bodymoor Heath.



A close-range finish, successful penalty and excellent first-time hit from the in-form striker made the difference in the West Midlands, in between Keinan Davis’ opener and Jaden Philogene-Bidace’s penalty.



Mike Dodds and John Hewitson took the side in the dugout for the evening due to Elliott Dickman and Michael Proctor self-isolating, and the Lads put in a second-half display that will have brought a huge smile to their faces.



Villa showed their threat early on, with Davis and Carney Chukwuemeka both denied by solid Jacob Carney saves.



Davis then struck wide when put clean through, with Declan Frith volleying wide and Philogene-Bidace seeing a shot blocked.



The Lads played in a determined fashion, but were limited to few chances, mainly forcing numerous set-plays.



And Villa swung the pendulum their way 35 minutes in, as Davis worked himself some space inside the 18-yard box before finishing smartly into the bottom corner.



As the hosts looked to build on their advantage, Carney was forced into impressive action once more, diving to his left to keep out Aaron Ramsey, after Ollie Younger had put in a crucial challenge to stop Davis just moments before.



Kenton Richardson, captain for the night, then made a last-gasp block to deny Frith on the cusp of half-time.



Harrison Sohna came closest in the first half for the young Lads, taking aim with a left-foot shot outside the area which Filip Marschall claimed. Ellis Taylor’s free-kick was also not a bad effort, sailing just off target.



The second half began in the best possible fashion for the Black Cats who changed to a back five, who capitalised straight away on getting in behind the Villa defence for the first time.



Nathan Newall found himself with a golden opportunity on the left-hand side of the area, fizzing over a cross-shot which Harris tapped home with ease for 1-1.



And almost immediately, the youngsters notched in front. Taylor was fouled in the box and the referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot – the Lads’ number nine tucking away his second into the bottom-right corner.



And an unbelievably rapid hat-trick was completed in the space of 10 second-half minutes just before the hour, when Harris latched onto a superb straight ball and finished first-time beyond the onrushing Marschall.



Villa were not settling lightly and clawed a way back when a controversial penalty was given, Ethan Kachosa appearing to win the ball in a challenge with Philogene-Bidace – the referee judging it in a different manner. The home side’s winger converted the kick himself to make it 3-2.



The Lads continued to battle hard to see out the win at Bodymoor Heath, with Kachosa withdrawn late on after taking a stray elbow.



And it was a fantastic graft towards the end, securing three most welcome points against an in-form Villa outfit; a stunning game of two halves.



After the victory, Dodds said: “It was a traditional tale of two halves, and the boys showed such excellent character and hard work to get the three points.



“They’re really good kids, something I’ve immediately noticed having only been at the club for two and a half weeks.



“Will is a really good player. He’s like that old-school classic number nine, and his hard work shows he deserves his success.”



SUNDERLAND AFC U23: Carney; Richardson ©, Younger, Almond, Dyce; Sohna, Scott; Kachosa (Johnson 84’), Taylor, Newall (Jessup 90+3’); Harris.



Subs not used: McIntyre, Bainbridge, Trialist.



Aston Villa U23: Marschall, Lindley, Ealing, Bogarde, Swinkels, Iroegbunam, Frith (Abledeen-Goodridge 67’), Chukwuemeka, Davis (Thorndike 76’), Ramsey ©, Philogene-Bidace.



Subs not used: Zych, Zito.

 

Reasons to be cheerful one two three is very appropriate on a Friday night.
Apologies for duplicating your post OA, I was otherwise engaged to-night and only came on a few minutes ago, so was behind the curve, seems like the never say die attitude of our U23,s has stood us in good stead again, I was hoping they would put on a good show and Harris is certainly one to watch he is a natural goalscorer imo., also pleased that Olly got a mention in despatches as I think the world of him and really cant understand LJ;s reluctance to give him any game time, surely 4-0 up on Saturday was the perfect time to introduce a fresh face, not repeat his go-to substitution strategy from which he will have learned nothing.

 

Not a problem mate. I think Younger is on par (at least) with Wright. If it was up to me I'd probably give Younger more exposure to the first team than what he gets so far. Nothing I've seen would suggest he will let anyone down at all.

 

Cheers mate, I will have to get familiar with this Twitter business, in the meantime I will rejoin the swinging 60,s with some Frank Zappa on BBC4. OaU

 

Wow. What a result that is tonight!

 

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We are playing a mostly u18 side in this division, I have to say btw. These lads are playing a level up. A 16yr old scholar came on for us today. This is a big positive btw, to see investment and confidence in the academy - at all levels.

 

Agree with both of you. When you're 4-0 up it's the time to give the kids a chance not go for the safe option.

I think Johnson doesn't rate Younger and maybe he'll turn out to right about that but I don't agree with him and he isn't giving him the chances to prove himself that a young player needs.

 

Didn't realise they were playing tbh...

 

Aye . . . . 'Sheels were 2-0 up, which woke us up and it was very comfortable after that, having a few more chances to make it more than the 5 that we scored. This was made easier when 'Sheels had a man sent off when we were winning 3-2

 

What was he sent off for? couldn't see on the highlights. It looked a good strike from Wearne.

 

Something that he said to the ref., apparently (nee idea what, but it must have been pretty bad)

 

I got to the game. Sunderland played really well once they woke up 10 minutes in!! Caught completely cold with those 2 goals in first 6 minutes. At 3-2 one of our players, no idea who it was clattered a Shields lad but ref didn’t give anything. Should have been a yellow and a free kick, that riled Shields up. Just after that the guy got sent off, he actually swore at Sunderland player but the ref thought it was directed at him. Players from both teams tried to reason with the referee but obviously wasn’t going to change his opinion! Some great goals, from both teams.

 

Xhemajli looked more than a bit dodgy there

 

He is still a fair bit off the pace, which is to be expected. I went to the mags game at home and he stepped up with the ball, over ran it and tried to chase it down. Ended up losing in and they exploited the space he left.
I'm sure LJ said it would be around Jan before he is around the first team so plenty of time for him yet.

 

Did Arby play the whole game?

 

"You're a worse ref than Darren Drysdale"

 

I wonder when he will make any mention of Younger. He is by far our best defender at that level and should have played last season imo.

 

I do like Younger tbh, I think he has a decent future at a good level but for some reason doesn't seem to get a look in. A bit strange that one tbh.