U18 Preview: Saints vs Aston Villa

By SFC Media time Fri 12 Aug Saints vs Aston Villa
Photo by Isabelle Field

Southampton’s youngsters begin their Under-18 Premier League campaign on Saturday, with Mikey Harris’ side looking to share similar fortune to their 2021/22 campaign.

THE MATCH
Saints vs Aston Villa
Under-18s Premier League
Staplewood Campus
Saturday 13 August, 1pm BST

While Carl Martin and Mikey Harris’ side lost out to Manchester City in the national final, it was a hugely impressive 2021/22 campaign for Southampton’s youngsters.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 04: Southampton U18s players  during the Premier League U18s match between Southampton U18s and Reading at Staplewood Training Ground on May 04, 2022 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Isabelle Field/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
Southampton Under-18s celebrate their Under-18 Premier League South victory (Photo: Isabelle Field)

With Martin now moving up to help Ralph Hasenhüttl and the first team, Harris has taken full control of the Under-18 squad ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Saints will be hoping to kick things off with victory over Aston Villa on home turf, as they look to retain their Under 18 Premier League South title.

Aston Villa finished 12th in last season’s league standings, and will surely be looking to turn their fortunes for the new campaign.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Saints emerged victorious in both encounters last season, racing to a huge 5-0 victory at Bodymoor Heath Training Ground in February.

A Dom Ballard hattrick, accompanied by goals from Will Armitage and Luke Pearce ensured Saints’ substantial win on their course to becoming league champions.

The path to victory wasn’t so easy when Villa visited Staplewood in November. Goals from Tyler Dibling and Dom Ballard saw Saints two goals to the good after 18 minutes, but Chisom Afoka pulled one back for the visitors just six minutes later.

A goal from Ryan Finnigan saw Saints regain their two goal advantage upon 44 minutes, but just one minute later Edward Rowe found the back of the net to reduce the deficit once more.

An energised first-half continued, with Luke Pearce adding to the goals seconds before the break. While Afoka was the first to draw blood in the second, further goals from Dibling and Finnigan secured all three points at Staplewood.

MANAGER'S THOUGHTS

"We're really excited," admitted boss Mikey Harris. "Obviously pre-season is great but you can't beat the real thing.

"It's what we've been working up to this pre-season, we had two really good games at Aston Villa this year. They're a strong side and we know it's going to be tough."

Not only have Saints brought in a number of scholars for the 2022/23 season, the recent signing of Eric Hanbury on loan from Manchester United boosts Harris' options in goal.

"So we've brought in a goalkeeper from Man United on loan. Obviously we've had a lot of lads go up to the B team which is amazing for them and a lot of them will play tonight, so it gives us opportunities for others to play for the Under-18s and we'll have a lot of other pre-scholars in the squad."

Related

Women's Preview: Leicester City vs Saints
chevron right
U18 Highlights: Saints 3-3 Villa
Saints vs Aston Villa

U18 Highlights: Saints 3-3 Villa

Full highlights from an entertaining opening day

timeMon 15 Aug
photo U18 Gallery: Saints 3-3 Aston Villa U18 Report: Entertaining score draw for Saints
Academy trio reach U17s EUROs as Joe Andrews makes Wales history
International

Academy trio reach U17s EUROs as Joe Andrews makes Wales history

A look at how Saints' youngsters fared on international duty

time3 hours ago
Man City Ticket Exchange now open Rendell and Morris receive Young Lionesses call-ups