U18s: Aston Villa 2-4 West Ham United

Aston Villa suffered late heartbreak in the Under-18 Premier League South as they conceded three goals in injury time to fall to a 4-2 defeat against leaders West Ham United.

Two quickfire strikes from Cole Brannigan and Ewan Simpson put the hosts into a dream 2-0 lead after just three minutes at Bodymoor Heath.

Dan Rigge reduced the deficit for the Hammers just before half-time, yet the Young Lions held firm until the latter stages.

Rigge equalised for the visitors in the 90^th minute before completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot soon afterwards, with Mehmet Halim converting a fourth in the seventh minute of added time.

It was a cruel conclusion for Villa’s youngsters, who had looked destined for reward to show for their efforts against the league leaders.

Brannigan drilled the Villans ahead after just two minutes, firing home after Luka Lynch’s effort had been parried by West Ham goalkeeper Finlay Herrick.

And the Young Lions doubled their lead just a minute later as Simpson capitalised on a defensive error to convert with a sweeping low finish.

Bradley Burrows was denied by Herrick when clean through, while, at the other end, opposite number Sam Proctor made a couple of fine saves and Villa’s rearguard stood firm.

But the Hammers reduced the arrears in the 40^th minute when Rigge converted a low ball from Jethro Medine.

Villa stopper Proctor continued to impress while the visitors spurned chances to level, with TJ Carroll’s point-blank header from Charlie Pavey’s smart free-kick somehow kept out by Herrick as the hosts also threatened to extend their advantage.

Ezra Mayers headed off target for the Hammers from close range, while Herrick was at it again to thwart substitute Trai-Varn Mulley and Lynch in quick succession.

But the Hammers levelled late on when Rigge found the top corner from 12 yards, before completing the turnaround in the 94^th minute from the penalty spot to wrap up his hat-trick.

Rigge then turned provider three minutes later to set up Halim as Villa sustained injury-time agony.