U18s: Aston Villa 0-0 Wolves

Aston Villa played out a goalless draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers in their opening Under-18 Premier League Cup Group E encounter on Tuesday afternoon.

Keilan Quinn went close for the Young Lions in the first half while Villa goalkeeper Sam Proctor saved well from Makenzie Bradbury.

But clear-cut openings were limited at Bodymoor Heath as the Villans were forced to share the spoils with their midlands neighbours and take a point apiece in the cup competition.

Villa and Wolves find themselves in Group E alongside Fulham and Middlesbrough, with a trip to Boro next up for Jimmy Shan’s side in early October.

Mateus Mane spurned a good early opportunity for the visitors during what was an open start to proceedings.

Alfie Lynskey then saw his strike deflected over the crossbar for Villa at the other end, before Quinn’s drilled effort was parried by Wolves ‘keeper Josh Gracey from the subsequent corner.

Opposite number Proctor was called into action to save from Bradbury midway through the first half.

With both sides pushing to find the breakthrough, Villa striker Elijah Briscoe saw his header comfortably saved by Gracey as it remained goalless at the break.

Vinnie Hayward sent a 20-yard free-kick narrowly over the crossbar in the 55^th minute, before Lynskey did likewise from another promising position shortly afterwards.

Yet clear-cut opportunities became few and far between as the second half wore on, Mane going close from distance for Wanderers in the 74^th minute.

And neither side were able to find a winner in the closing stages as the clash finished honours even.