11am 5 October 2013
Under 18 Premier League
Aston Villa U18 2 Arsenal U18 1 (att 72)
Aston Villa have been playing youth team games at their Bodymoor Heath training ground for as long as I can remember, and 20 or so years ago I drove past the ground frequently, yet somehow it's a venue that had always eluded me until today.
The current set up, a few miles south of Tamworth, has had several million pounds spent on it in recent years, and is much larger than it used to be. The pitches all appear immaculate, with a fixed fence around the main pitch used by the under 18s for this match.
Spectators appear to be welcome at the ground, unlike some academy venues where they are rather grudgingly tolerated. There's a designated parking area, teamsheets were available from the security hut near the entrance, and it's easy to get a good view of the match.
On the pitch it was a very enjoyable 90 minutes. Villa looked the stronger, and possible older, side. They took an early lead, but against the run of play Arsenal levelled just before half time.
The result might have been different had Arsenal not struck a post with a second half penalty while the score was still tied, but Aston Villa fully deserved their later goal and the win. In truth, they could easily have scored more goals.
Under 18 Premier League
Aston Villa U18 2 Arsenal U18 1 (att 72)
Aston Villa have been playing youth team games at their Bodymoor Heath training ground for as long as I can remember, and 20 or so years ago I drove past the ground frequently, yet somehow it's a venue that had always eluded me until today.
The current set up, a few miles south of Tamworth, has had several million pounds spent on it in recent years, and is much larger than it used to be. The pitches all appear immaculate, with a fixed fence around the main pitch used by the under 18s for this match.
Spectators appear to be welcome at the ground, unlike some academy venues where they are rather grudgingly tolerated. There's a designated parking area, teamsheets were available from the security hut near the entrance, and it's easy to get a good view of the match.
On the pitch it was a very enjoyable 90 minutes. Villa looked the stronger, and possible older, side. They took an early lead, but against the run of play Arsenal levelled just before half time.
The result might have been different had Arsenal not struck a post with a second half penalty while the score was still tied, but Aston Villa fully deserved their later goal and the win. In truth, they could easily have scored more goals.
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