Kevin MacDonald’s reserves side end an up and down season with a tough test against Chelsea this afternoon (2pm). The young Villa side for the most part have been joined in some part by the likes of Habib Beye and Stephen Warnock this term, along with second string mainstay Moustapha Salifou, but it has been the kids that have stolen the show this term. Despite impressive displays from Harry Forrester, Samir Carruthers, Chris Herd, Graham Burke, Daniel Johnson and Gary Gardner, MacDonald’s men have been unable to defend the three year winning streak of their league title after a mid season lull led to four successive defeats. Since then they have gone unbeaten in three games but it has not been enough to catch up with the leaders. Undoubtedly the highlight of this reserves league season was an astonishing 10-1 win over high flyers Arsenal but the progression into the first team of the likes of Albrighton and Clark and the departure on loan from Bannan, Hogg, Lichaj and Delfouneso have left the side a little thin on the ground. It has however, meant that a new crop have had the chance to impress so look out for 16-year-olds Jordan Graham and Callum Robinson in years to come, as well as Spanish signing Juan Serrano.
Starting XI: Siegrist, Berry, Deeney, Osbourne, Herd, Baker, Carruthers, Gardner, Lampkin, Burke, Johnson. Subs: Williams, Barrett, Devine, Nelson-Addy, Taylor.
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