Brentford Under-18s saw their FA Youth Cup campaign come to an end as they lost 5-0 to a strong Aston Villa Under-18s side on Friday evening.

The side were faced with the opportunity to play at Villa Park having been drawn in the competition for the first time since the Academy was reintroduced at the start of the 2022/23 season. In their way stood Aston Villa who are four times FA Youth Cup holders.

The majority of the Under-18s squad take part in the the Football Education Programme at the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, and they were afforded the opportunity to take part for the first time playing in the historic Youth Cup competition, coming up against a Category One opponent.

The match offered the opportunity for B Team players, Bryon Wilson, Tony Yogane and Isaac Holland to make their first appearance for the Under-18s in a high-profile fixture.

The young Bees were aware of the challenge ahead of them with Villa looking sharp from the off. On five minutes Kyrie Pierre was played through by Todd Alcock but the number 11 had his close-range shot cleared off the line brilliantly by Brentford’s Zach McAllister.

Two minutes later Rory Wilson opened the scoring for the hosts as he beat Adam Mlynarczyk from a tight angle with a chip.

Following a nice spell of play from the visitors, Villa got their second of the game after captain, Kobei Moore, got onto the end of an Alcock corner and powerfully headed the ball into the back of the net.

On what was always going to be a tough night for the away side they showed promising signs in the opening 20 minutes.

Holland looked sharp for the Bees, especially in the attacking areas, the number 11’s strike from just inside the box looked goal bound but his effort was blocked well by Kerr Smith.

Wilson then got his second for the Young Villains when a powerful volley from Omari Kellyman was saved spectacularly by Mlynarczyk, but the number nine was first on scene to tap in the rebound from three yards to make it 3-0.

Brentford’s work ethic couldn’t be doubted as they pressed a strong Villa side and continued to work hard in all areas of the pitch as half-time approached.

On 43 minutes Yogane had a good effort on goal saved as his left-footed attempt was gathered by James Wright after the number nine let fly from a tight angle.

The Bees began the second half brightly and looked the better side in the early phases with Mark Osei looking especially dangerous down the right flank.

The visitors began frustrating Villa as they pressed high up the pitch giving the home team no room to play.

On 58 minutes Henry Mott stole the ball from Alcock and had a strike on goal from 25-yards but his effort went just over the bar.

Despite the promising play from Brentford, Wilson sealed his hat-trick and Villa’s fourth on 65 minutes when a cutback pass from Pierre found the striker who slotted home from close range.

Villa were awarded a penalty 10 minutes later after a weak back pass forced Mlynarczyk into a challenge with Pierre which the referee deemed a foul.

Finley Munroe smashed his penalty beyond Mlynarczyk putting the game completely out of sight for the Bees.

Despite the scoreline, the young Brentford players would have benefited from a good experience against a talented Aston Villa side.

Brentford Under-18s: Mlynarczyk, Frimpong (Hughes, 79), McAllister, Wilson, Nyam, Osei (Blanco, 78), Mott (Edgell, 88), Cosgrave, Holland, Bessasa-Grant, Yogane

Subs not used: Anderson, Torrance, Bio, Kimpiob

Booked: McAllister, Holland, Wilson

Aston Villa Under-18s: Wright, Rowe, Barber, Smith (70’, Softley), Munroe, Alcock, Moore (70’, Rhoades), Simpson, Wilson, Kellyman (62’, Lynch), Pierre

Subs not used: Hammond, Katsukunya, Onuchukwu, Pavey

Booked: Munroe