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Chelsea class shows as Villa are knocked out

Last updated : 21 March 2008 By Tom Vickers
Villa's brave youth team finally saw their Youth Cup run come to an end as they crashed to a 3-2 defeat at Villa Park. The result meant they lost 4-3 on aggregate after a first leg which they dominated finished 1-1.
Harry Forrester was nearly the hero in the second leg on Wednesday as he scored twice but goals from Sergio Tejera Rodriguez, Gael Kakuta and Adam Philip destroyed the dream.
Philip was a thorn in Villa's side at Stamford Bridge as he equalised minutes from time to earn Chelsea an undeserved parity.
Forrester started the scoring on a high tension night in the Midlands as struck from 25 yards. It was a great goal from the 17 year old who is making quite a name for himself both at club and country level.
Chelsea were level just 15 minutes later as Rodriguez slotted past Parish after Kakuta laid the ball to the edge of the area. And the visitors took the lead for the first time in the tie as Kakuta made a solo run into the Villa box and again fired past Parish.
It was two goals in less than 10 minutes for Chelsea and Villa looked shell shocked but they did not let it dishearten them as they came back strongly.
Despite plenty of chances it took the Claret and Blue youth until the 61st minute to restore parity as Forrester again struck. This time he edged in from the left and powered home.
It seemed to give the advantage to Villa as the 10,000 strong following sensed another goal and subsequently a place in the final. But it wasn't to be as Philip again proved to be heartbreaker as he fired in after Villa were wasteful in midfield.
There was still time for two sending offs as first Chelsea's Sawyer saw red and then Villa's Roome also suffered a similar fate just minutes from the end.
Weimann has a chance to level in the very last moments but he despaired after missing with the last kick of the game.
Villa may not be through but they must be proud of what has been a fantastic cup run. They have shown themselves to be one of the best crops of youngsters in the country and if they deserved to finish it off with winners medals. But it wasn't to be and they are still top of their academy league meaning some silverware should be making its way to Villa Park.