Borland struggles as 8/10 ace shines – Aston Villa U18 player ratings v Man United
Aston Villa under-18s are through to the final of the FA Youth Cup after beating Manchester United 2-1 on Monday.
The Young Lions secured a famous win on 31 March at Villa Park on penalties as Sam Proctor made two penalty saves to secure a 3-1 shootout win.
This came after a first-half showing where Trai-Varn Mulley gave the home side the lead before James Scanlon netted an equaliser before the interval.
On the night when Villa made it to the final of the Youth Cup for the first time since 2021, there were many standout performances.
Aston Villa News has rated the players out of 10.
Aston Villa U18s ratings v Manchester United
Sam Proctor – 9
The keeper put in a positive shift despite being caught out for United’s opener, he will be particularly pleased with his second-half save to send the tie to extra time before making himself the hero on penalties.
Triston Rowe – 7
The full-back was electric up and down the flank and certainly caught the eye on multiple occasions going forward.
TJ Carroll – 7
Carroll was solid throughout the clash despite coming up against Chido Obi, who is famed for his physicality beyond his years, he was kept quiet for large spells.
Leon Routh – 7
It is fair to say that the former Luton youngster has a bright future ahead given the aura that surrounds him when coming up against attackers, and that was on show once again from Routh.
Rodrigo Fortes – 5
The Portuguese was useful down the flank, getting up and down when required but showing the nous to know when to stay back.
Trai-Varn Mulley – 7
The only change from the last round saw the winger come in and he was arguably the Villans’ best player as he opened the scoring in the semi-final.
Borland misses penalty v Manchester United
Aidan Borland – 4
Borland is typically so reliable and will be fuming to have missed a penalty but he did manage to put that behind him and continue to perform at a positive level.
George Hemmings – 6
The teenager looks so strong and tricky on the ball and looked so dangerous throughout the clash against the Red Devils. Hemmings gave fans flashes of Jacob Ramsey with his showing, that is for sure.
Cole Brannigan – 5
A quiet night for Brannigan, who didn’t truly have an impact at Villa Park as he was starved of the ball throughout.
Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba – 8
There is a good reason why the 18-year-old has taken up a spot in the first-team squad this season; he was excellent and Jimoh-Aloba consider himself unfortunate not to have got on the scoresheet in B6.
Mason Cotcher – 6
It was a quiet night for the typically explosive Cotcher, who did so well against Bristol City in the last round but failed to replicate that in the semi-final.
Substitutes
Teddie Bloomfield – 4
Alfie Lynskey – 4
Keilan Quinn – 5
Ashton McWilliams – 6
Max Jenner – 6