U21s: Aston Villa 2-1 Everton

Omari Kellyman and Kobei Moore were on target as Aston Villa secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Everton in Premier League 2.

Moore fired the hosts ahead after just eight minutes at Bodymoor Heath before Katia Kouyate saw his header rebound off a post as the Young Lions led at the break.

Halid Djankpata levelled for the Toffees from close range early in the second half, but it was the Villans who claimed all three points from an engaging encounter as Kellyman fired a 69^th-minute winner, with the impressive Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba claiming two assists.

It was Villa’s third PL2 victory of the season and they will now look to build upon the triumph with a home double-header against Middlesbrough and Stoke City next up.

Villa got off to a dream start as Moore fed the ball out wide to Jimoh-Aloba and he cut it back across goal for the onrushing striker to convert left-footed from eight yards.

The hosts were playing some free-flowing football and Jimoh-Aloba was thwarted by Toffees defender Roman Dixon having been played through by Triston Rowe.

Moore was proving a lively threat and he rounded Everton goalkeeper Fraser Barnsley just after the half-hour mark but couldn’t find the target from a tight angle.

Kellyman, likewise, was troubling the visitors and he flashed an effort narrowly wide in the 37^th minute following a surging run.

Kouyate then came close to a leveller moments later as his downward header bounced off the turf and against a post.

Everton, having made a double change at the interval, started the second half strongly and levelled early on as Djankpata converted from close range following a goalmouth scramble from a corner.

An open encounter was showcasing attacking intent from both sides keen to gain the upper hand.

And it was the Young Lions who regained the lead with just over 20 minutes remaining as they pressed the Everton defence high up the pitch, Jimoh-Aloba intercepted an attempted clearance and the ball fell for Kellyman to round Barnsley and slot home.

Villa ‘keeper James Wright made an important save to keep out an acrobatic attempt from Kouyate, while Jimoh-Aloba couldn’t find the net at the other end in the 84^th minute.

Substitute Kadan Young twice went close while Jimoh-Aloba was denied by Barnsley during 12 minutes added time, but it was Villa who held firm to claim the spoils.