U18s: Crystal Palace 3-0 Aston Villa

Aston Villa bowed out in the quarter-finals of the Under-18 Premier League Cup with a 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Young Lions, having topped Group C with a 100 per cent record to progress to the knockout stages, fell behind early on to Seb Williams’ eighth-minute opener.

Jesse Derry then bagged a first-half brace to put the Eagles into a commanding three-goal lead which ensured they booked their place in the last four at the expense of Villa, who reached the final of the competition last term.

They will now be looking to make amends when league matters resume at Reading this weekend.

Williams handed the hosts an early lead with a close-range finish from eight yards.

Bradley Burrows sent a good chance off target as Villa looked for an immediate response, only for Palace to double their advantage in the 16^th minute courtesy of Derry’s low finish.

Sam Lewis made a number of fine saves and Villa’s defensive rearguard stood firm under pressure to keep the Young Lions in the tie.

Villa then saw loud penalty appeals waved away on the stroke of half-time but, from the subsequent counter-attack, the Eagles added a third as Derry lashed home.

Burrows tested Palace ‘keeper Billy Eastwood before the home side twice rattled the woodwork in search of further reward as they ended Villa’s cup progress.