Aston Villa U23s 1-0 Sunderland U23s
Sunderland Under-23s were narrowly defeated by Aston Villa on Monday evening.
Taking place at Walsall’s Banks’s Stadium, Elliott Dickman’s side made a bright start to the Premier League 2 fixture, but the visitors went closest in a goalless opening period.
There was little to choose between the two sides but the Villans struck a decisive blow with 15 minutes remaining, as Alex Prosser converted from the penalty spot.
The Lads were unable to muster a response in the closing stages, falling to a third consecutive defeat.
Sunderland enjoyed the bulk of the play during the opening exchanges, but Lewis Brunt sprang into life as the first 45 drew to a close.
After dragging a low drive just wide, the midfielder saw his next effort take a wicked deflection before looping up onto the post, as the sides went into the break level.
With time ticking away, it looked like a moment of magic or a mistake would provide the difference, and with 75 minutes on the clock, Villa were awarded a penalty.
Substitute Prosser made no mistake, burying the spot kick into the corner to ensure the home side clinched three points.
The result ensured the Black Cats remain bottom of the PL2 Division 2 table with four games remaining.
Villa, meanwhile, moved five points clear inside the play-off places.
The Under-23s are back in action on Friday evening, hosting Manchester United at the Stadium of Light in a 7pm kick-off.
Aston Villa U23s: Sarkic, Bazeley-Graham, Revan, Suliman, Rowe, Clarke (Mooney 67), Brunt, Wright (Walker 87), Archer, Ramsey (Prosser 58), Knibbs.
Subs not used: Lomax, Birch.
Sunderland U23s: Patterson, Hunter, Taylor, Berkoe (Young 54), Bainbridge, Sammut, Connolly, Mumba, Kimpioka, Borg (Neil 82), Diamond.
Subs not used: Newman, Storey, Evans.