U21s: Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa

Aston Villa suffered a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal in Premier League 2 on Friday night as both sides finished with 10 men.

The Gunners held a narrow lead at the interval thanks to Josh Robinson’s 31^st-minute opener from close range.

And the hosts extended their advantage in the second period courtesy of Khayon Edwards’ penalty and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji’s effort.

Rory Wilson gave Villa brief hope from the spot in the 80^th minute, but substitute Seb Ferdinand quickly ended any hopes of a fightback as he registered a fourth for Arsenal.

Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba and Edwards were then both sent off in injury time as Villa tasted their first PL2 defeat of the campaign.

The hosts started the encounter on the front foot and posed plenty of early questions, with Michal Rosiak hitting a post from a free-kick after 16 minutes.

Aidan Borland made an important diving block to deny Butler-Oyedeji, but it was the Gunners who opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark as defender Robinson converted from close range.

Wilson missed a good opportunity to level from Todd Alcock’s low cross while Kobei Moore’s deflected effort flew over the crossbar.

Jimi Gower volleyed wide for Arsenal before a host of chances in injury time which saw both sides go close, Robinson and Ismail Oulad M’Hand for the hosts while Maldini Kacurri twice blocked Villa from levelling matters before the break.

The Young Lions made a positive start to the second half but the Gunners doubled their advantage from the penalty spot just before the hour, Edwards converting after Ismeal Kabia was upended in the area.

And it was 3-0 in the 69^th minute as Butler-Oyedeji latched on to a long kick from goalkeeper Brian Okonkwo, rounded Sam Lewis on the edge of the box and fired home.

Lewis saved well from Edwards before Wilson fired wide for the visitors at the other end.

But the striker did reduce the arrears in the 80th minute as he converted from the spot to give Villa brief hope.

Although, it was extinguished six minutes later as sub Ferdinand put any hopes of a comeback out of reach.

Both sides were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages as Jimoh-Aloba and Edwards saw red following a mass confrontation, with the Gunners running out winners.