FT: Dev Squad 1-2 Aston Villa U21
The Final whistle blows here at Rush Green and the Dev Squad's quest for their first points of the new season continues. We'll bring you reaction and highlights on whufc.com shortly.
90+2: Element of desperation creeping in now, they've worked hard but not quite been as clinical as their counterparts.
90: Three minutes to be added on here, last chance saloon!
89: The Irons have a corner but Lanzini elects to shoot when a cross was clearly the better option. It would have been spectacular but it's gone out for a throw-in.
86: A chance for the Hammers to equalise, and it's that man Lee again. The ball is at a difficult height and he has to try and lift it over the onrushing Steer. His effort falls just wide.
84: Villa pressing and they've scored! Captain Jordan Lyden, a defender, finds himself in the penalty box and makes no mistake. He fires the ball giving Howes no chance of saving. 1-2.
81: The hame is becoming increasingly more stretched. You feel there'll be chances to come in the last ten minutes...
76: Lovely inventiveness from the free-kick. Instead of crossing it, the Hammers pass it out to Mavila who turns and shoots fiercely again. He's proving to be a real handful tonight!
74: Hale tries his luck, it strikes Onariase and takes a wicked deflection. It loops up and beats Howes but thankfully it hits the side netting. A let off.
70: Phenomenal strike by Mavila who cuts into the box and whips a ferocious shot. Almost an instant impact from the substitute. Tunji Akinola comes on in place of Sam Westley, Knoyle goes out to right-back.
68: Sellars, who has been by far one of the best players out there has another chance, Howes does well to get down to make the save.
66: Villa are beginning to enjoy the greater chances this half, there coming down the right with a lot of intent. Hammers having to play on the counter predominantly.
62: Wonderful spin by Samuelsen and he's away. Quick feet for tall man! Hendrie looks for Lee but he's in an offside position.
60: Sam Howes rises highest to claim a cross as Nathan Mavila replaces Omar Rowe, a like for like switch on the left-wing.
58: Superb play from Lee, he twists and turns two, three, four times, skinning half the Villa team. Unfortunately his layoff is just a tad too short and the danger is removed.
55: Excellent ball into the box by Henry Cowans, it was begging to be tucked away but Sellars can't quite reach it.
52: Just as the first half, the second is fast paced, very even affair. Plenty of hard-work but not much by way of chances so far.
49: Villa have a corner and decide to take it short. The Hammers intercept and break through Lee. They win a corner, Cullen picks it up, lays a delightful reverse pass, Iniesta like, for Hendrie to run onto. He shoots well but it's smoothered.
46: Elliot Lee and Manuel Lanzini get us back under way. The Hammers have 45 minutes to find a winner.
45+1: Last chance of the half falls to Samuelsen, his quick feet have caused a few problems but he's crowded out. An impressive and entertaining half from both sides. Villa shaded it in the first half before the Hammers responded strongly.
45: Inswinging corner from Lanzini almost catches Steer out but he readjusts and palmes it over.
43: George Dobson has also impressed on his U21 debut. He wins the ball, drives forward and forces Jed Steer into a smart save.
42: Superb turn of pace by Rowe down the far flank, he's been a real outlet this half.
38: Lovely bit of skill from Lanzini who twists his man all ends up. Dizzy, the Villa defender trips the Argentine giving the Hammers a free-kick in a dangerous position. The cross is headed away but Dobson re-starts the move, it falls to Samuelsen who shoots from 20 yards but it nestles just wide of the post.
35: GOAL for the Hammers! Lanzini picks up the loose ball on the edge of the box after superb work from Lee to dispossess Steer. 1-1.
34: Lee again goes close. He's one-on-one with the keeper who elects to head it away.
32: Another great chance for Sellars, and he really should've scored. Again, the visitors break down the Hammers with a ball over the top. He decides to smash it rather than place it and it goes narrowly over.
30: Superb work from Manuel Lanzini who beats three men before trying a one-two with Lee. Villa manager to scramble it away.
27: Lee has two chances to equalise. First Hendrie sets him on his way down the left wing but Jordan Lyden throws himself in front of the shot. Moments later Lee is hauled down but nothing doing from referee Lee Betts.
23: Penalty to Aston Villa! Knoyle is penalised for a tug, it seemed a bit harsh put the decision has been given. Sellars steps up and slots his effort coolly into the right-hand corner.
20: Villa respond with a golden opportunity, picking up a loose ball, Jerrel Stellars bursts into the box. Sam Howes does well to rush out of his goal line and put him off his shot.
18: The Hammers have a corner which eventually comes to Dobson who shapes his body expertly and drives it from 30 yards. It flies narrowly over.
17: Josh Cullen smashes the post with a curling effort from the edge of the box. Steer was beaten, great play from the captain.
14: A jinking run from Samuelsen comes to nothing before Elliot Lee is flagged off, narrowly, trying to connect to Dobson's diagonal ball.
12: Lovely ball over the top of the defence by Villa's Lewis Kinsella into Jerell Sellars. Thankfully the striker had strayed into an offside position.
10: Elliot Lee almosts responds as he takes a shot early from the edge of the box, Jed Steer does well to get down to it and push it away.
9: Half a chance for Villa as Easah Suliman heads over from the penalty spot.
7: As you might expect, playing conditions aren't great, a lot of players slipping over. To both teams' credit they playing along the floor, looking to move it around quickly.
5: Villa have a half chance but its snubbed out by Lanzini covering well.
3: Decent move from Hammers starts with Westley winning the ball back, he passes to Cullen before Lanzini spreads a great ball out to Hendrie. he bursts forward but the move breaks down.
2: Josh Cullen robs the hosts almost immediately and sets Elliot Lee on his way. He's stopped on the edge of the box, a positive start!
0: Both teams are walking about, pre-match handshakes underway and we're all set!
Both teams are out on the pitch warming up and the stands are filling up, we could be set for classic!
Some exciting players to watch out for in Claret and Blue tonight. Stephen Hendrie and Manuel Lanzini make their home U21 debuts while George Dobson makes the step up from U18 to U21. Good luck to one and all!
Goalkeepers Sam Howes and Tim Brown are out first to inspect the surface. The pitch looks immaculate considering the heavy rain.
All the signs suggest we're in for a very tight game tonight. Visitors Villa have kept two clean sheets so far, scoring just the once. Nevertheless having gathered four points they're currently fourth in the table and would go top with a win tonight...
Academy manager Terry Westley makes five changes to the side that lost 2-1 to West Brom last week. Sam Howes, Sam Westley, George Dobson and Manny Onariase all start while trialist Omar Rowe goes straight into the side.
The teams are in!
West Ham United: Howes, Westley (Akinola 70), Hendrie, Dobson (Nasha 85), Knoyle, Onariase, Rowe (Mavila 60), Cullen, Lee, Lanzini, Samuelsen
Subs: Brown (GK), Gordon
Aston Villa: Steer, Mason, Kinsella, Lyden (c), Toner, Suliman, Cowans, Hale, Sellars, Abdo, Calder
Subs: Leggett, Bannister, Blackett-Taylor, O'Hare, Lyons-Foster
Referee: Lee Betts
Assistants: Jonathon Block & Nathan Walker
Fourth Official: Robert Claussen
Hello and welcome to a very soggy Rush Green! Not the nicest of conditions for the first home game of the season, but we'll have to make do. The football is what matters, and tonight should be a cracker!
The Final whistle blows here at Rush Green and the Dev Squad's quest for their first points of the new season continues. We'll bring you reaction and highlights on whufc.com shortly.
90+2: Element of desperation creeping in now, they've worked hard but not quite been as clinical as their counterparts.
90: Three minutes to be added on here, last chance saloon!
89: The Irons have a corner but Lanzini elects to shoot when a cross was clearly the better option. It would have been spectacular but it's gone out for a throw-in.
86: A chance for the Hammers to equalise, and it's that man Lee again. The ball is at a difficult height and he has to try and lift it over the onrushing Steer. His effort falls just wide.
84: Villa pressing and they've scored! Captain Jordan Lyden, a defender, finds himself in the penalty box and makes no mistake. He fires the ball giving Howes no chance of saving. 1-2.
81: The hame is becoming increasingly more stretched. You feel there'll be chances to come in the last ten minutes...
76: Lovely inventiveness from the free-kick. Instead of crossing it, the Hammers pass it out to Mavila who turns and shoots fiercely again. He's proving to be a real handful tonight!
74: Hale tries his luck, it strikes Onariase and takes a wicked deflection. It loops up and beats Howes but thankfully it hits the side netting. A let off.
70: Phenomenal strike by Mavila who cuts into the box and whips a ferocious shot. Almost an instant impact from the substitute. Tunji Akinola comes on in place of Sam Westley, Knoyle goes out to right-back.
68: Sellars, who has been by far one of the best players out there has another chance, Howes does well to get down to make the save.
66: Villa are beginning to enjoy the greater chances this half, there coming down the right with a lot of intent. Hammers having to play on the counter predominantly.
62: Wonderful spin by Samuelsen and he's away. Quick feet for tall man! Hendrie looks for Lee but he's in an offside position.
60: Sam Howes rises highest to claim a cross as Nathan Mavila replaces Omar Rowe, a like for like switch on the left-wing.
58: Superb play from Lee, he twists and turns two, three, four times, skinning half the Villa team. Unfortunately his layoff is just a tad too short and the danger is removed.
55: Excellent ball into the box by Henry Cowans, it was begging to be tucked away but Sellars can't quite reach it.
52: Just as the first half, the second is fast paced, very even affair. Plenty of hard-work but not much by way of chances so far.
49: Villa have a corner and decide to take it short. The Hammers intercept and break through Lee. They win a corner, Cullen picks it up, lays a delightful reverse pass, Iniesta like, for Hendrie to run onto. He shoots well but it's smoothered.
46: Elliot Lee and Manuel Lanzini get us back under way. The Hammers have 45 minutes to find a winner.
45+1: Last chance of the half falls to Samuelsen, his quick feet have caused a few problems but he's crowded out. An impressive and entertaining half from both sides. Villa shaded it in the first half before the Hammers responded strongly.
45: Inswinging corner from Lanzini almost catches Steer out but he readjusts and palmes it over.
43: George Dobson has also impressed on his U21 debut. He wins the ball, drives forward and forces Jed Steer into a smart save.
42: Superb turn of pace by Rowe down the far flank, he's been a real outlet this half.
38: Lovely bit of skill from Lanzini who twists his man all ends up. Dizzy, the Villa defender trips the Argentine giving the Hammers a free-kick in a dangerous position. The cross is headed away but Dobson re-starts the move, it falls to Samuelsen who shoots from 20 yards but it nestles just wide of the post.
35: GOAL for the Hammers! Lanzini picks up the loose ball on the edge of the box after superb work from Lee to dispossess Steer. 1-1.
34: Lee again goes close. He's one-on-one with the keeper who elects to head it away.
32: Another great chance for Sellars, and he really should've scored. Again, the visitors break down the Hammers with a ball over the top. He decides to smash it rather than place it and it goes narrowly over.
30: Superb work from Manuel Lanzini who beats three men before trying a one-two with Lee. Villa manager to scramble it away.
27: Lee has two chances to equalise. First Hendrie sets him on his way down the left wing but Jordan Lyden throws himself in front of the shot. Moments later Lee is hauled down but nothing doing from referee Lee Betts.
23: Penalty to Aston Villa! Knoyle is penalised for a tug, it seemed a bit harsh put the decision has been given. Sellars steps up and slots his effort coolly into the right-hand corner.
20: Villa respond with a golden opportunity, picking up a loose ball, Jerrel Stellars bursts into the box. Sam Howes does well to rush out of his goal line and put him off his shot.
18: The Hammers have a corner which eventually comes to Dobson who shapes his body expertly and drives it from 30 yards. It flies narrowly over.
17: Josh Cullen smashes the post with a curling effort from the edge of the box. Steer was beaten, great play from the captain.
14: A jinking run from Samuelsen comes to nothing before Elliot Lee is flagged off, narrowly, trying to connect to Dobson's diagonal ball.
12: Lovely ball over the top of the defence by Villa's Lewis Kinsella into Jerell Sellars. Thankfully the striker had strayed into an offside position.
10: Elliot Lee almosts responds as he takes a shot early from the edge of the box, Jed Steer does well to get down to it and push it away.
9: Half a chance for Villa as Easah Suliman heads over from the penalty spot.
7: As you might expect, playing conditions aren't great, a lot of players slipping over. To both teams' credit they playing along the floor, looking to move it around quickly.
5: Villa have a half chance but its snubbed out by Lanzini covering well.
3: Decent move from Hammers starts with Westley winning the ball back, he passes to Cullen before Lanzini spreads a great ball out to Hendrie. he bursts forward but the move breaks down.
2: Josh Cullen robs the hosts almost immediately and sets Elliot Lee on his way. He's stopped on the edge of the box, a positive start!
0: Both teams are walking about, pre-match handshakes underway and we're all set!
Both teams are out on the pitch warming up and the stands are filling up, we could be set for classic!
Some exciting players to watch out for in Claret and Blue tonight. Stephen Hendrie and Manuel Lanzini make their home U21 debuts while George Dobson makes the step up from U18 to U21. Good luck to one and all!
Goalkeepers Sam Howes and Tim Brown are out first to inspect the surface. The pitch looks immaculate considering the heavy rain.
All the signs suggest we're in for a very tight game tonight. Visitors Villa have kept two clean sheets so far, scoring just the once. Nevertheless having gathered four points they're currently fourth in the table and would go top with a win tonight...
Academy manager Terry Westley makes five changes to the side that lost 2-1 to West Brom last week. Sam Howes, Sam Westley, George Dobson and Manny Onariase all start while trialist Omar Rowe goes straight into the side.
The teams are in!
West Ham United: Howes, Westley (Akinola 70), Hendrie, Dobson (Nasha 85), Knoyle, Onariase, Rowe (Mavila 60), Cullen, Lee, Lanzini, Samuelsen
Subs: Brown (GK), Gordon
Aston Villa: Steer, Mason, Kinsella, Lyden (c), Toner, Suliman, Cowans, Hale, Sellars, Abdo, Calder
Subs: Leggett, Bannister, Blackett-Taylor, O'Hare, Lyons-Foster
Referee: Lee Betts
Assistants: Jonathon Block & Nathan Walker
Fourth Official: Robert Claussen
Hello and welcome to a very soggy Rush Green! Not the nicest of conditions for the first home game of the season, but we'll have to make do. The football is what matters, and tonight should be a cracker!