The Aston Villa first teamers were on hand to give their younger colleagues some support during their win over Man City in the FA Youth Cup Final
19:57, 05 May 2025Updated 19:57, 05 May 2025
Players of Aston Villa celebrate victory after defeating Manchester City during the The FA Youth Cup Final match
Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers celebrated Aston Villa’s latest FA Youth Cup triumph at Villa Park this afternoon.
In front of 25,074 fans, Villa’s U18s outclassed Manchester City’s youngsters, winning 3–1.
City took the lead inside the first two minutes after goalkeeper Sam Proctor’s pass was intercepted by Harrison Myles, who set up Matty Warhurst for the opener.
But Villa were behind for only a matter of moments, as TJ Carroll headed in Cole Brannigan’s corner.
Brannigan completed the comeback in the 31st minute with a stunning goal, firing a half-volley past Oliver Whatmuff from distance.
Jamal Jimoh-Aloba then extended Villa’s lead in the 66th minute, striking from outside the box after receiving the ball following a clever dummy from left-back Rodrigo Fortes.
After full-time, Ramsey and Rogers were seen on the pitch shaking hands with every member of the Villa U18 squad, who were soaking in the moment.
Aidan Borland of Aston Villa lifts The FA Youth Cup Trophy as he celebrates victory with teammates at the winners board after defeating Manchester City
Winning the FA Youth Cup in front of over 25,000 fans is a dream come true for any young player hoping to make a career in the game.
Ramsey came through the ranks at Villa as a youngster, and his brother Aaron won the competition with the club back in 2021.
Cole, the younger brother of Jacob and Aaron, was not in the matchday squad but was present, having featured for the Under-18s this season.
“We have Cole [Ramsey] in the ranks, so we have had nice messages from the boys who won it four years ago, from Jacob, from Aaron,” manager Jimmy Shan said.
“I have worked with Morgan at West Brom, and Mark Harrison has, so it shows their character.
“They appreciate the academy programme and process, and they want to share their experiences and their joy and adulation with the boys.”
Players of Aston Villa pose for a group photograph as they celebrate with The FA Youth Cup trophy after defeating Manchester City
He added: “They are still partying, jumping around, and playing music, that isn’t my cup of tea.
“They are buzzing. The way our fixtures have gone in the Under-18s, we still have two left. They can’t enjoy it. We are in tomorrow, we have a cool down, and the lads who haven’t played many minutes will be on the grass, and then we will be out on Thursday.
“They can’t probably enjoy it as much as if it was the last game of the season—then they could really enjoy it. Even some of the lads in there now are showing maturity, because some of their conversations with their peers are, ‘We need to make sure Thursday is right.’ So they are readying themselves for Thursday now.”
Villa’s youngsters can win the U18 Premier League South on Thursday if they beat Southampton.
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