Men's U21s suffer first defeat of the season against Aston Villa

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Tyler Silsby on target but Albion are beaten 2-1 in their PL2 opener on Friday.

Neil Moxley

2026-08-21T21:50+01:00

Tyler Silsby got Albion back into the game but Villa held on to win 2-1. 📷James Boardman

Tyler Silsby’s late goal was not enough to prevent Albion men’s U21s from falling to their first defeat of the season.

The substitute slotted home at the far post eight minutes from time as Jason McCarthy’s side desperately chased a late equaliser at Bodymoor Heath.

Two goals by the hosts in six first-half minutes had put Albion’s youngsters on the back foot.

But they dominated proceedings after the interval and deservedly put themselves within sight of a point after Silsby converted from fellow substitute Kofi Shaw’s low centre.

However, their efforts proved in vain as their first league fixture of the campaign ended in disappointment.

Victories over Millwall in the Premier League Cup and Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy had preceded this opener in PL2 - but Villa proved a tougher nut to crack.

McCarthy’s squad were made to pay for two momentary lapses in concentration before the interval as the hosts made the most of the chances that fell their way.

Goalkeeper Steven Hall made a couple of good saves in the first half. 📷Simon Roe

Early indecision almost cost Albion inside the first minute with Villa striker Rory Wilson firing wide after confusion at the back.

But the visitors then gathered themselves and caused several moments of panic in the home rearguard before Villa took the lead midway through the opening half.

Keeper Steven Hall had pulled off a fine stop, tipping a low, curling left-foot shot around the post after home skipper Tommi O’Reilly cut in from the right flank.

From the resulting corner, the hosts took the lead. Albion initially cleared their lines only for the ball to be returned into the danger zone with a header from just outside the area.

Centre-half Leon Routh stuck out a leg, diverting his effort past Hall to open the scoring.

Six minutes later, Villa made it two. Albion were caught playing out from the back and Ben Broggio took advantage, pulling the ball back for Wilson to net from close range.

After the interval, the game was played almost exclusively in Villa’s half.

The substitutes added impetus to Albion’s forward momentum as the game moved into the final quarter.

Silsby had caused problems throughout and, after his goal, came within a whisker of returning the favour for Shaw - his right-wing centre just too high for his colleague to meet as the visitors pressed their claims until the final whistle.