Aston Villa booked their place in the final of the prestigious FA Youth Cup after a 3-1 win on penalties over Manchester United on Monday night.

Legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson and more than 1000 travelling Manchester United fans were among the spectators at Villa Park. 

Newly capped Denmark U21 international of Nigerian descent, Chido Obi is unlikely to be involved on Tuesday evening when United's first team face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League as the center forward was on U18 duties on Monday, playing the entirety of the game. 

Highly-rated midfielder Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, the first Nigerian player to score for Aston Villa in the UEFA Youth League, also went the distance, while Victor Musa and Owen Asemota were unused substitutes for their respective teams.

Trai-Varn Mulley needed just four minutes to break the deadlock, finishing coolly after a free-kick was fired into the wall.

Manchester United responded midway through the first half as James Scanlon drilled the ball into the net.

Aston Villa had a chance to retake the lead but Aidan Borland missed from the penalty spot after Jimoh-Aloba was fouled in the area. 

With no goals scored in the second half or extra time, the match had to be decided by a penalty shootout.

Aston Villa shot-stopper Sam Proctor emerged as the hero in the shootout, making two crucial saves, while Jimoh-Aloba converted his penalty.

In the final, Aston Villa will take on whichever team prevails between Watford and Manchester City.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: avfc.co.uk

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