U18 Premier League

Aston Villa 0 Arsenal 2 (Coyle 49 (pen), 59 (pen))

Trae Coyle scored twice from the penalty spot as Arsenal U18s secured a 2-0 victory away to Aston Villa today in their first game of 2018.

The result saw Kwame Ampadu’s side extend their winning run in the league to four games and was all the more impressive given that it was achieved without the services of some of the more high-profile members of the squad.

Emile Smith Rowe, Zech Medley, Tyreece John-Jules, Vontae Daley-Campbell and Xavier Amaechi were all unavailable, but Ampadu was still able to call upon a strong side that included the likes of Coyle, Folarin Balogun and schoolboy winger Bukayo Saka.

Virginia

Clarke-Ballard-Spencer Adams-Thompson

Benson-M. Smith

Olayinka-Coyle-Saka

Balogun

Subs: Beckford (for Saka, 70), McGuinness (for Spencer-Adams, 76), Swanson (for Olayinka, 80). Not ued: Barden, Okoflex.

Arsenal were left frustrated in the first half as, despite the attacking quality at their disposal, they found it difficult to break down a well-organised Villa side.

That changed early in the second period when Arsenal were awarded a penalty and Coyle stepped up to open the scoring.

Coyle added another from the spot in the 59th minute and Arsenal held on for a deserved victory.

There was a further positive to take for Ampadu’s side as defender Mark McGuinness entered the fray as a substitute to make his first appearance of the season after recovering from injury.