U18s: Reading 0-1 Aston Villa

Trai-Varn Mulley was on target as Aston Villa grabbed a narrow victory against Reading in their first game of the Under-18 Premier League season.

The attacker scored the only goal of the match after 18 minutes to see off the Royals in Berkshire.

Villa had plenty of chances to extend their lead throughout the course of the contest, but were also grateful to Proctor for a couple of fine saves.

Jimmy Shan’s Young Lions made a bright start at Bearwood Park Training Ground, testing home ‘keeper Josh Welland via Bradley Burrowes’ shot from distance.

Soon after a slick move that started with Sam Proctor ended with Mulley sliding home the opener.

The Villa goalkeeper played a ball into Ashton McWilliams, who set Burrowes away down the right, with the winger’s cross turned home at the back post.

Alfie Lynskey and Mason Cotcher shot wide as the visitors kept up the pressure before the half-time whistle sounded.

Lynskey threatened again at the start of the second half, seeing his low shot saved at the second attempt by Welland.

The chances kept coming for Villa, who saw Leon Routh poke agonisingly wide at the back post when he met an outswinging free-kick.

Some last-ditch defending on the Reading goalline kept Villa’s lead at one before Proctor preserved it with a fine 1v1 save.

Vinnie Hayward almost caught Welland out with a whipped free-kick, but the away side secured a 1-0 victory to get their league campaign off to a winning start.