Arsenal U21 4–1 Aston Villa U21: Report and Ratings by Layth Yousif at Meadow Park

Arsenal U21s eased past their Aston Villa U21 counterparts to make it three wins on the bounce in Premier League 2.

A first half strike by impressive attacking right-back Josh Robinson, supplemented by a second half penalty by striker Khayon Edwards, and caped by an excellent individual effort by Nathan Butler-Oyedeji were enough to seal victory for Mehmet Ali’s talented young guns. 

Despite a late consolation penalty by Villa’s Rory Wilson, prior to substitute Seb Ferdinand making it 4-1, Ali’s side - who came into Friday evening’s Premier League 2 clash at Meadow Park already in great form - were simply too good for their opponents, who resorted to some agricultural challenges at times. 

Just like their first team counterparts, the U21 side had won their opening two games, Ali’s side triumphing 4-2 against Manchester United in the opening game at Boreham Wood, prior to easing past Wolves 3-1 last week.

In the opening stages, free-kick specialist Michal Rosiak struck the Villa post, as the home side attempted to break the deadlock.

Arsenal’s dominance was rewarded when right-back Robinson powered forward into the box to fire past Vilians’ keeper Sam Lewis, and put Ali’s side 1-0 up just after the half hour mark. 

The Gunners could have doubled their lead moments before the interval, but Jimi Gower narrowly hooked his effort wide, following good work by goalscorer Robinson, at the end of an absorbing opening 45 minutes.

The visitors attempted to gain parity after the break, but their attempts were thwarted by a resolute backline.

Gunners No9 Edwards doubled the home side’s lead just before the hour mark when he sent keeper Lewis the wrong way with his spot kick, earned after the lively Ismeal Kabia was hauled down in the box.

There was still time for captain Butler-Oyedeji to drive at the Villa backline, before rounding onrushing keeper Lewis and emphatically fire home to make it 3-0 to a lively young Arsenal side.

And despite Wilson’s late spot-kick to make it 3-1, Meadow Park Gooners went home happy, after such an absorbing performance by Ali’s young charges, when late replacement Ferdinand made it four by firing low across Lewis.

There was still time for an injury time spat between the sides, that saw Jamal Jimoh-Aloba for Villa, and Gunners striker No9 Khayon Edwards, receive red cards

Find out who impressed with our Player Ratings from Meadow Park

Arsenal U21 4–1 Aston Villa U21

1 - Brian Okonkwo: 6.5/10 - Awkward handling on aerial balls, and was lucky not to be punished. Efficient distribution on the deck at times, but has to ensure his calm style isn’t mistaken for a lackadaisical nature when playing out from the back – otherwise opposing forwards will target him

2 - Josh Robinson: 8/10 - Showed excellent anticipation at times with timely blocks in defence, while showing a good engine to supplement attacking colleagues’ forays further upfield – as showcased when the young-right powered into the box to fire past Villa keeper Sam Lewis to make it 1-0 just after the half hour mark. A good spin off the Villa backline moments before the break nearly saw the impressive attack-minded defender grab a second strike

3 - Elian Quesada-Thorn: 7/10 - Solid and reliable

4 - Maldini Kacurri: 7/10 - Partnered Heaven in the heart of the backline

5 - Ayden Heaven: 7/10 - Good to see the talented young defender in the middle of the backline. A big season ahead for the talented prospect who already made his mark during the first team’s America tour. Showed excellent awareness and anticipation with blocks while being comfortable playing the ball out from the back.

6 -Michal Rosiak: 7/10 - The dead ball specialist was unlucky when he lifted his free-kick over the Villa’ wall, only for the ball to thud Villains’ keeper Sam Lewis’ near post and away to safety. Has to be more careful when in possession, rather than ceding control when playing the ball forward into space

7 - Ismeal Kabia: 7.5/10 - A lively presence along the right flank to provide intelligent balls into the box. Switched wings in a bid to receive more of the ball. Effective when holding the ball up with his back to play. Hauled down in the box just before hour mark to earn the Gunners penalty

8- Jimi Gower: 7.5/10 - Hooked a first half chance narrowly wide after good work from goalscorer Josh Robinson. Does the simple things well in the heart of battle. Always a threat when driving forward and spraying the ball long, or playing it short. So effective at times, his opponents resorted to basic dark arts such as shirt pulls in a bid to quell his effervescence, even if he could perhaps release the ball a fraction earlier.

9- Khayon Edwards: 6/10 - Slotted home his second half spot kick with aplomb to double the young guns lead when sending Villa keeper Sam Lewis the wrong way just before the hour mark. Blotted his copybook by after receiving red late on during a full-blooded spat

10 - Ismail Oulad M’Hand: 6/10 - Silky skills and fancy footwork as ever, yet invariably flattered to deceive when the attacker should be influencing matches far more, given his innate talent

11 - Nathan Butler-Oyedeji (c): 7.5/10 - The Young Guns’ captain was on the end of a number of robust challenges but showed an excellent temperament not to react. Excellent individual strike to make it three late on to seal victory

Substitutes 

12 – Cam’ron Ismail:

13 – Alexei Rojas Fedorushchenko:

14 – Zane Monlouis: Came on with 15 minutes remaining 

15 – Harrison Dudziak: Came on with 15 minutes remaining 

16 – Seb Ferdinand: 7.5/10 - Excellent late goal to make it four 

A late injury time spat between the sides sees a player each sent off with Jamal Jimoh-Aloba for Villa and Gunners striker No9 Khayon Edwards receiving red for the home side pic.twitter.com/z3JOf5rpSE

— Layth (@laythy29) August 30, 2024