U18s: Aston Villa 1-1 Norwich City

Aston Villa were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Norwich City in the Under-18 Premier League South at Bodymoor Heath.

Trai-Varn Mulley, having sealed a 1-0 win over Reading last weekend, bagged his second goal in as many games to put the Young Lions into the lead midway through the first half.

But La’Sean Sealey levelled for the visitors in the 58^th minute, before Kingston Simbai saw red for a second bookable offence moments later.

Villa pushed a winner but could not find a breakthrough, leaving Jimmy Shan’s side with four points from their opening two league matches following victory over the Royals in their season opener.

Sealey side-footed a low effort against the base of a post early on for the Canaries before Villa made the breakthrough in the 22^nd minute.

Bradley Burrowes won possession in a dangerous area down the right channel, burst into the penalty area and crossed low for Mulley to slot home from close range.

Mason Cotcher was thwarted by Norwich goalkeeper Caleb Ansen as Villa pressed for a second, while Sealey could only sweep an opportunity off target at the other end having pounced on a defensive error.

Alfie Lynskey drilled a low strike narrowly wide for the hosts while Leon Routh made a superb sliding challenge to preserve Villa’s lead at the break.

Mulley slotted a good opportunity off target following a swift counter-attack early in the second period, but it was the Canaries who equalised through Sealey’s cool finish just before the hour mark.

Norwich defender Simbai was dismissed for a second yellow card just two minutes later, leaving Villa to push for a winner.

And Mulley came close to sealing victory as his near-post strike, following a jinking run in the area, was pushed away to safety by City ‘keeper Ansen, ensuring the encounter finished all square.