UEFA Youth League: Aston Villa 0-2 Juventus

Aston Villa fell to defeat on Matchday Five of the UEFA Youth League on Wednesday afternoon, losing 2-0 to Juventus at Bodymoor Heath. 

Despite controlling large parts of the encounter, the Young Lions were beaten by a Lorenzo Biliboc brace, as a goal in each half for the visitors proved enough to secure the points. 

The dangerous winger was well positioned in the first period to fire a cross home at the far post, before sealing the victory for the Bianconeri with an unstoppable curling finish just after the hour. 

The result leaves Josep Gombau’s side 23rd in the league stage of the competition, heading into their sixth and final outing of this phase against RB Leipzig on Tuesday, December 10. 

Juventus started strongly, and had carved out a few decent openings inside the opening 10 minutes.

First, Leon Routh had to be alert to block Alessio Vacca’s goalbound effort inside the area, before Biliboc might have done better when hammering over, having been found in space on the edge of the area.

Villa grew into the first period as it wore on. Immediately after, Kadan Young caused trouble down Juventus’ left-hand side and squared for Bradley Burrowes whose sweeping effort was only denied by a goalline clearance from Federico Savio.

But the Bianconeri remained dangerous in attack, and after Vacca had spurned a good opportunity, sending a free header over at the back post, Travis Patterson then had to be alert to perfectly time a last-ditch recovering challenge on Alessandro Ventre, who had been found in space over the top.

Gombau’s side could not keep their visitors out for much longer, however, and they fell behind with seven minutes to the break.

Diego Pugno raced to the byline and sent a ball to the back post, where an unmarked Biliboc had the simple task of smashing high into the net to send his side in at half-time ahead.

Villa upped their intensity after the interval, and began dominating proceedings in search of an equalising goal. The Old Lady remained a threat on the break, however, and Sam Lewis had to be switched on to get everything behind Vacca’s stinging drive which ended a swift counter attack just after the hour. 

Minutes later, Villa came within inches of drawing level. Skipper Aidan Borland’s deep corner was only partially cleared, allowing Thierry Katsukunya time to look for the far corner, but his half-volley clipped the top of the crossbar.

And the Young Lions were made to pay for their lack of cutting edge with 25 minutes to go, as Biliboc doubled his and Juve’s advantage, picking the ball up on the left and curling a neat effort beyond Lewis and into the far corner.

Villa again looked for a response, giving their all until the final whistle. Triston Rowe tested goalkeeper Riccardo Ragu with a long-range effort as the game ticked into its final 10 minutes, but Juventus successfully saw the game out to condemn the Villans to a first UEFA Youth League defeat in three matches.

Aston Villa: Lewis; Rowe, Katsukunya, Routh, Patterson; Borland (c), Hemmings; Young, Jimoh-Aloba, Broggio; Burrowes (Cotcher 57).

Unused subs: Hammond (GK), Fortes, Jenner, Hayward, Lynch, Burgess, Bloomfield, Mulley. 

Juventus: Radu; Savio, Bruno Martinez, Gil Puche, Pagnucco (c); Ventre (Nisci 90+5), Mazur, Keutgen, Biliboc (Grelaud 86); Pugno (Iván López 90+1), Vacca (Bellino 86). 

Unused subs: Zelezny (GK), Verde, Scienza, Finocchiaro, Borasio.