Arsenal’s FA Youth Cup campaign got under way this evening with a mouth watering clash against last season’s semi-finalists Aston Villa.
The Gunners have a poor record against the Midlands side but have consistently progressed from the third round in recent years. Villa boasted the much talked about Nathan Delfouneso in attack, whilst Steve Bould welcomed back versatile winger Sanchez Watt after three months out injured.
Shea
Eastmond – Ayling – Bartley – Cruise
Lansbury – Coquelin – Frimpong – Sunu
Thomas (c)
Murphy
Subs – Mann, Blackwood, Evina, Deacon, Watt
The opening stages were a little nervous between the two, as both sides sensed the importance of the occasion. But as the minutes ticked by, they finally felt their way into proceedings.
First out the blocks were Villa, with deadly consequences. A jinking run from Dyer resulted in a darting cross to the back post. James Shea looked to settle himself with an early touch but awfully punched it straight to James Collins, who confidently converted.
Goal – James Collins (6)
With Steve Bould’s boys still rattled at the manner of going behind, Nathan Delfouneso exposed more frailties in the back-line to lash a cross into the box, but Bartley cleared.
Minutes later Shea started work on redeeming himself with a fine save to deny Baker. It would be the last opportunity Villa would get to challenge Shea’s goal and get away with it.
The Villians ‘keeper Devlin made a superb double stop to deny Murphy and Emmanuel-Thomas, before the former reacted quickest to lash home a 15th minute equaliser.
Goal – Rhys Murphy (15)
The Gunners took the momentum that the goal gave them and ran with it. Baker was forced to crash a sloppy Blythe back pass into the stand with Emmanuel-Thomas waiting to pounce, it seemed the hosts were losing their composure.
Up the other end, Collins dragged a shot wide, Baker then had to clear Lansbury’s cross from an instant counter attack. Sunu felt the visitors had earned a penalty when his shot deflected off Baker into the arms of Delvin, but the referee waved the appeals away.
With the half time break approaching, Aston Villa got their noses in front. Harry Forrester escaped his marker, a neat pass into Collins saw the striker pull the trigger and bury the ball beyond Shea.
Goal – James Collins (41)
Half Time – Arsenal 1-2 Aston Villa
The interval brought a chance for Bould to rally the troops, and rally he did. His skipper Jay Emmanuel-Thomas took the challenge to Villa, but when the key moment mattered – inside the box – Jay frustratingly failed to apply a finish.
Sunu powered his way forward but a tame shot was easily saved, before Delvin tipped Thomas’ slick shot wide after tidy work from Murphy.
Sanchez Watt replaced Gilles Sunu shortly after the hour marker, just as Arsenal were beginning to boss the encounter. Delvin was again in action to stop a long range drive from Frimpong, he then had to get back up to stop Murphy moments later.
Watt’s introduction would prove decisive. The tricky forward smashed a shot at Delvin, and the usually reliable stopper parried, right into the path of Murphy who levelled the scores once more.
Goal – Rhys Murphy (75)
The Murphy and Emmanuel-Thomas combination had caused Aston Villa no end of problems all night, and with 10 minutes left, the partnership came to fruition. Murphy fed his England Under 19 team mate in, and the leggy youngster crashed home his 7th of the season in empathic style.
Goal – Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (80)
The final moments would be a crucial test of character. In truth Villa were totally stunned by the come back, likewise were the watching fans.
Thomas now dropped alongside Frimpong and Coquelin to make a three man shield, which the hosts struggled to find a way through. It proved to be a master stroke from Bould, who tactically had masterminded the success.
The industrious starlets shut up shop and made sure they secured an unlikely win. A superb result for these young boys, and one which sends out a clear message to the remaining teams in the competition.
Arsenal to win the Youth Cup? don’t you bet against it on tonight’s showing.
Article By – J.Sanderson
who stood out for you?
well done, tough villa team
at least the youth won!!! wahooo!
Great result!!!!!
yes they did – the other game was a bit piss poor
was you the guy with the laptop next to the dugout?
Thomas scored quite a few this season hasn’t he? Not bad for someone who’s predominantly a defensive player
Shame about the “first team” tonight though. Those CC youth are rock bottom in confidence I’m sure.
Ho well. Onto the next rounds in the CL and FA Youth Cup in any case :)
how did coquelin play?
Awesome, Villa is always going to be a really tough team to play with the quality of their academy, and this really shows the boys’ desire to win this thing. Looking forward (all going well) to seeing them at the Emirates!
u dun kno thee youth
Thanks for writing up the report. Well done boys – beating Villa is quite a scalp after last season.
Great stuff guys. I am starting to think that if you have a very good team, nobody of the players will make it. A team with players that will make it won’t win the competition.
So last year, for example, we had great array of youngsters: Wilshere etc. and we came short. Now I think the bunch is nowhere as good, especially in defence, but we beat Villa. I will admit that our midfield looks dead solid with Coqueling looking the main men.
Do you think there is any chance that Wilshere might play later on? I mean Villa used Delfouneso.
Wow, that sounds fantastic to me. Seems that Murphy will begin firt team competition next season, he is impressive. And how do you think did Lansbury perform last match, JS?
Damn I watched the wrong game tonight!
J, can yiu give the player ratings? Is JET the MOM? How did Coke(Coquelin) do?
Thanks,
Top site!
J, there is no player profile for Amaury Bischoff. Have you done it or is it that I can’t see it?
Am very glad for the youngsters. it seems Rhys is a goal poacher in the making. Am also glad with the performance of the skipper cos we really need a goal scoring midfielder.
just wanna say Good work J.Sands. and congrats to comment by •[g][u][n][n][a] @ 4.22pm. correct score prediction! from the previous story (2nights one game) except the scorers tho…
can i get some tips off u next game….lol.
bit dissapointed with seniors, but will go with the positives in that game. am afraid to say i never really criticized Arsene Wenger re his tactics, choices etc but its so obvious we need a proper DM some one who plays there naturally (tis is not a criticism by way just stating the obvious).it was so plain to see last night.
As i said i’m for the positives good one young ones with the result!!! wooo! i was really nervous pre the game…opefully this is good tidings for later rounds and hope they stay grounded
what is the age limit to play in the FA youth cup ???? im thinking about Wilshere Ramsey and all the other super talants ^^ if they play we will defenently win the tournament ;)
I see that Murphy is starting to show some form again, do you think he is going to make it J??
many thanks :)
Well done the youth. That’s a big result. Villa have got some serious talent, as we saw in the reserve game a couple of months ago. I especially like the look of that midfield – it’s got a nice balance to it. Great to see Watt back as well.
We’ve drawn Wolves at home in the fourth round…
Murphy looks good but defensively even against a top Villa side who beat the Gunners i think 4-1 last time out we need to toughen up. We have potential class players everywhere else and defence just seems slightly lacking. Murphy will be a good player, Thomas and Watt look out for but hopefully Lansbury progresses because he can become an England regular.
J, do you know anything abt the Hazard and Cabaye rumours?
Sorry J, this is a young gun post but i just had to say:
PLS MOTHER HOPE! – Lorik Cana FOR ARSENAL
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=uo2INzuAHJE&feature=related
Two for Murphy eh. Nice!
at home to wolves in next round
The game against Porto was shit, glad that this ended well. I personally thought we would loose against Villa, great result.
Both Rhys Murphy and Jay Thomas are pure quality.
i heard bendtner mite go on loan to west brom
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=74362&id=505857173&ref=nf#/photo.php?pid=1742721&id=505857173
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=74362&id=505857173&ref=nf#/photo.php?pid=1742718&id=505857173
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=74362&id=505857173&ref=nf#/photo.php?pid=1742716&id=505857173
is this how you prepare for games, rhys murphy? ;) WTG
Wolves at home in the next round. I know they have a few good players Nathan Mendez-Laing Jamie Reckord and maybe Zele Ismail, who have all represented England.
kinda off subject…but any news on our mystery south American striker
ive herad nothing since the lenny rumour
lurtzz – unless your mates with the fella, it’s creepy you posting pictures of him up.
will the wolves game be at the emirates
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J, who do you think Wenger will buy this summer( young and promising players)?
Thank you. This is my favourite site!
When are Arsenal TV going to at least show a bit of highlights?