John Townley's Aston Villa U18s player ratings as 10s and 9s awarded after FA Youth Cup triumph vs Man City

Aston Villa have won the FA Youth Cup for a fifth time after defeating holders Manchester City 3-1 in front of 25,073 fans at Villa Park.

Having first claimed the Youth Cup in 1972, Villa's Under-18s have gone on to lift the trophy on three further occasions - winning the prestigious competition again in 1980, 2002, and most recently four years ago. They also finished as runners-up in 1978 and 2004.

Opponents City took the lead just 113 seconds into the final, after Harrison Miles intercepted goalkeeper Sam Proctor’s pass. Matty Warhurst then finished clinically in front of the Holte End.

Villa, however, were behind for only a few moments. TJ Carroll rose highest in the box to head in Cole Brannigan’s corner, which had been won by Mason Cotcher.

After Christian Dunbar-McDonald missed a big chance for City in the 17th minute, Villa playmaker Brannigan completed the comeback with a stunning strike in the 31st minute.

Aidan Borland’s cross was initially cleared by Kaden Braithwaite, but Brannigan latched onto the loose ball and fired a half-volley past Oliver Whatmuff from outside the box.

In the 66th minute, Jamal Jimoh-Aloba cut inside from the left and fired past Whatmuff from distance to give Villa a two-goal cushion.

Before today, City’s last defeat came in November, having won all of their games since then and clinching the U18 Premier League North title last weekend.

Player ratings

Sam Proctor

The goalkeeper saved two penalties in the semi-final shootout victory over Manchester United but made a mistake early on in the final. His pass out from the back was intercepted, leading to City's opener. However, Proctor didn’t let that unsettle him - he continued to play out confidently and barked orders to his defence. Clean sheet in a cup final ... doesn't get any better than that for a 'keeper. 9

Triston Rowe

Rowe combined well with Brannigan and Bradley Burrowes on the right. Always looking to drive forward, the right-back showed his high technical ability and has a bright future in the game. He was previously included in the first-team squad for the match against Cardiff City. 9

TJ Carroll

Carroll scored three goals in his first six U18 Premier League appearances after the turn of the year, so it was no surprise to see him causing all manner of problems for the City defence from set-pieces as he scored the equaliser. 10

Leon Routh

Routh, who joined Villa from Luton last summer, has played every minute of Villa's FA Youth Cup campaign. He loves to defend - imposing and dominant in the air, Routh is also composed and effective in possession. 9

Rodrigo Fortes

The Portugal youth international did an excellent job containing Dunbar-McDonald on the wing, who was then substituted at half-time for Matthew Henderson-Hall. Fortes showed he was able to step inside and play with the ball in congested areas. Lovely dummy to allow Jimoh-Aloba to push forward and score the third. 9

Bradley Burrowes

Burrowes forced Whatmuff into a save at the near post early in the second half. The winger was named in Unai Emery's first-team squad for the FA Cup third-round clash against West Ham back in January. Worked his socks off. 9

Aidan Borland

The 17-year-old has played most of his football in Premier League 2 this season. After assisting the opener against Manchester United in the semi-finals, Borland again showed his creative potential - though it was his industry and bite in midfield that stood out most. 9

George Hemmings

The midfielder, who joined from Nottingham Forest last summer, took the ball well under pressure and kept play ticking over alongside Borland. Hemmings also scored a brace in the 6-0 win over Accrington earlier in the competition. 9

Cole Brannigan

Brannigan came into the final having scored three goals in five FA Youth Cup games - and saved his best for last. What a goal it was! He cut across the ball beautifully to find the top corner, leaving Whatmuff with no chance. 10*

Mason Cotcher

Aggressive in his pressing, Cotcher was a constant nuisance for City and posed a threat in the box as well. He won the corner that led to Carroll’s equaliser. 9

Jamal Jimoh-Aloba

Jimoh-Aloba forced Whatmuff into a smart save in the first half after finding space on the left and firing a shot on goal, before beating him in the second half in front of the Holte End. That's a moment he will never forget. He has been named in several first-team squads this season and made his senior debut in Villa’s EFL Trophy win over Wycombe Wanderers. 9

SUBS

Kielan Quinn (for Brannigan, 73')

McWilliams (for Jimoh-Aloba, 80')

Bloomfield (for Fortes, 80')

Mason Cotcher (for Jenner, 87')

Bradley Burrowes (for Mulley, 90+2')

Subs not used: Asemota, Lynskey.

GOALS

Aston Villa: Carroll (4'), Brannigan (31'), Jimoh-Aloba (66')

Man City: Warhurst (2')

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