U18s come up short against Villa

The Academy slipped to their second successive 3-1 defeat when Aston Villa got the better of them at Little Heath on Saturday.

Steve Potts' men were looking to bounce back from suffering their first reverse of the campaign the previous week, but were unable to do so against the Villans.

After making a slow start, the Hammers were punished by the Birmingham side, who opened the scoring from the spot after Marcus Browne committed a foul inside the penalty area.

Djair Parfitt-Williams had an opportunity to draw the Hammers level before the break, but he shot wide after Decarrey Sheriff regained possession high up the pitch.

At the other end Clarke Bogard had to make a good save after the Villa man was played through, but he was unable to prevent a close range goal for 2-0.

West Ham rallied and gave themselves a shot when, straight from the kick-off, they pressured the ball and Jerry Amoo crossed over the goalkeeper for Parfitt-Williams to head home.

However, that was as good as it got for West Ham, as Villa scored a third to secure the points.

West Ham are back in action next Saturday when they visit Norwich City in the Barclays U18 Premier League.

West Ham United: Bogard, Sylvestre, Borg, Browne, Carter, Knoyle, Amoo, Bailey, Sheriff, Diangana, Parfitt-Williams
Subs: Boness (GK), Elsom, Rodriguez, Douglas