Aston Villa have won the FA Youth Cup for the second time in four years following a 3-1 victory against Manchester City.
Villa’s under-18s side triumphed in front of home support at Villa Park to mark a fifth FA Youth Cup win in the club’s history.
Jimmy Shan’s young side responded emphatically after an early setback in the second minute, with City forward Matty Walhurst putting the visitors into the lead.
However, defender TJ Carroll headed from a corner just two minutes later to equalise, with further goals from Cole Brannigan and Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba proving the difference against a City side who had not lost since November and were only defeated once in the under-18 Premier League.
FA YOUTH CUP WINNERS 2024/25 — ASTON VILLA 🏆 pic.twitter.com/7NWGIOIt0d
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 5, 2025
Despite City going into an early lead after Villa goalkeeper Sam Proctor’s pass was intercepted and ruthlessly pounced on, the home finalists were deserving winners.
Carroll’s header gave Villa impetus and they were content to allow City to have most of the possession but attack quickly on turnovers and through fast attacking patterns.
City’s best chances fell in the first half, with winger Christian Dunbar-McDonald skewing his close-range effort wide after being picked out in the box.
Having delivered the corner for Carroll’s goal earlier on, attacking midfielder Cole Brannigan got himself on the scoresheet, with an exqusitely-timed half volley to put Villa in the lead.
Villa had worked a short corner that aimed to find Carroll at the back post, but City’s clearance fell to the 17-year-old who, running onto the bouncing ball, arched his run to produce enough power onto his left-footed strike, arrowing into the top left corner.
With local first team players Morgan Rogers and Jacob Ramsey watching on from the stands, Villa kept City at arms length in the second half, restricting chances while remaining a threat themselves.
Jimoh-Aloba, who has trained reguarly under Unai Emery this season and has made two senior appearances, cut inside from the left and from outside the box, struck low past City goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff.
The 18-year-old’s goal came in front of a packed Holte End, with over 25,000 supporters in attendance to watch Villa’s youngsters lift the trophy.
Your 2024-25 #FAYouthCup champions… @AVFCOfficial 🏆👏 pic.twitter.com/ZKRyO207G9
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 5, 2025
City under-18s head coach Oliver Reiss said after the defeat: “It was a tough game. A weird first four minutes with two goals. I’m not happy to lose this game but I’m very proud of my lads to reach this final and to have the opportunity to play a game like this.
“We could see we were struggling and deal with special situations in this game in front of this crowd and we need more games like this in the future. It’s the best way to develop the players.”
(Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images)