Youth League: BSC Young Boys 2-1 Aston Villa

Aston Villa fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat against BSC Young Boys in their UEFA Youth League opener in Bern on Tuesday afternoon.

Rory Wilson handed the Young Lions the lead midway through the first half at Sportpark Wyler following great work from Ben Broggio.

But the hosts levelled courtesy of Felix Emanuel Tsimba’s powerful finish in the 37^th minute, ensuring the competitive encounter was all square at the break.

Yet it was Young Boys who clinched all three points courtesy of Elio Rufener’s second-half strike, with the visitors unable to force a leveller in Switzerland.

Villa are next in action at home to Bayern Munich in the prestigious youth competition, which mirrors the club’s Champions League ‘league stage’ but is limited to the first six matchdays.

It was a keenly-contested opening quarter on the slick artificial surface as both sides battled for an early upper hand, although defences reigned supreme as clear-cut opportunities were limited.

That was until Villa opened the scoring in the 21^st minute following excellent work from Broggio.

The wide man won the ball in a dangerous area and surged towards goal before seeing his strike parried by Young Boys goalkeeper Jan Uebersax into the path of Wilson, who coolly applied the finishing touch.

Boss Josep Gombau was forced into a change shortly afterwards as Kyrie Pierre hobbled off, replaced by Ewan Simpson.

And it was the hosts who levelled as half-time approached as Tsimba won a battle to latch on to a ball over the top and his fierce strike got the better of Sam Proctor.

However the Villa ‘keeper ensured it remained level at the break as he used his legs to deny Tsimba after he found himself clean through.

Travis Patterson’s 25-yard free-kick was comfortably collected by Uebersax early in the second half, before George Hemmings fired off target from distance.

Omar Khedr was introduced just after the hour mark as both sides continued to threaten.

But it was the hosts who took the lead in the 68^th minute following a well-worked team move which resulted in Rufener converting from Rhodri Smith.

Young Boys substitute Janis Luthi fired wide a clear-cut opportunity to establish a two-goal advantage.

Patterson then saw penalty appeals waved away as Villa pushed for an equaliser, but it was not to be as their European campaign opened with defeat from a hard-fought encounter.

Aston Villa: Proctor, Pierre (Simpson 24), Rowe, Katsukunya, Patterson, Burrowes (Khedr 63), Borland, Hemmings, Broggio, Jimoh-Aloba, Wilson.

Subs: Hammond, Asemota, Routh, Monteiro Fortes, Carroll, Mulley, Lynskey.