U18s: Middlesbrough 1-2 Aston Villa

TJ Carroll converted an injury-time penalty to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory for Aston Villa over Middlesbrough in the Under-18 Premier League Cup.

Carroll slotted home in the 94^th minute before being shown a second yellow card amid the celebrations, with Oliver Martin and Prince Acheampong also given their marching orders for Boro during the latter stages at Rockliffe Park.

Max Jenner had given the Young Lions a 26^th-minute lead which was cancelled out by Frankie Coulson’s effort for the hosts early in the second half, before the action-packed finale unfolded.

The victory leaves Villa with four points from their opening two fixtures in Group E of the PL Cup, with a trip to Arsenal next up for Jimmy Shan’s side as they resume league matters.

Elijah Briscoe tested Boro goalkeeper Oliver Lloyd before the visitors opened the scoring midway through the first period.

Cole Brannigan won possession in a dangerous position down the left channel and burst clear before crossing low for Jenner, who created space and converted well from six yards.

Eric Hamelberg fired narrowly off target for Boro while Brannigan was denied by Lloyd at the other end as Shan’s side lead at the interval.

However, Villa were pegged back within two minutes of the restart as Coulson slammed home Tyler Smith’s left-wing cross from inside the area.

Carroll made a superb goal-line clearance to ensure the encounter remained level shortly afterwards.

And Villa stopper Owen Asemota then produced a reflex save from close range and duly pushed away a low free-kick to deny Boro as the home side threatened to turn the game around.

But Middlesbrough were reduced to nine men when Martin saw red in the 82^nd minute, before Acheampong was also given his marching orders as the cup tie entered added time.

Brannigan saw his long-range strike parried to safety as Villa pressed for a late winner.

And the Young Lions clinched it deep into injury time as Carroll found the bottom corner from the penalty spot, only to be then dismissed himself at the end of a lively encounter.