Aston Villa sealed their place in the FA Youth Cup Final, after a penalty shootout victory over Manchester United at Villa Park.
The two teams couldn't be separated after 90 minutes and extra time, with the game ending 1-1 following two first-half goals.
And it was Villa goalkeeper Sam Proctor who proved the hero for the hosts, as he made two saves in the shootout to help his team to a 3-1 win and a place in the Final.
It was Villa who made a dream start to the game too, when they took the lead early in the fourth minute, after Trai-Varn Mulley was quick to latch onto a deflected free-kick in the box to toe-poke home.
The dream start for @AVFCOfficial in the #FAYouthCup!
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 31, 2025
Trai-Varn Mulley finishes cooly 🤩 pic.twitter.com/PjcG6knBPd
But United levelled things up in the 23rd minute, when James Scanlon smashed home from close range to make it 1-1.
Ironically, Villa had a better opportunity to edge back ahead when Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba was felled by United 'keeper Murdock in the box to earn his side a penalty.
Unfortunately for the hosts though, Villa captain Aidan Borland hit his spot kick high and wide.
And it was United who almost went in at half time in the lead, but Tyler Fletcher's arrowed effort from the edge of the box bounced back off the base of the post.
Despite both teams having spells in the game to win it, with United ending the 90 minutes on the front foot, when it came to spot-kicks, it was Villa who held their nerve.
They scored all three of their penalties via Jimoh-Aloba, Kielan Quinn and Max Jenner while only Scanlon scored from United's four penalties to leave the young Reds crestfallen.
Villa, who will host the 2025 Final, will now await the winners of the other semi-final tie between Watford and Manchester City which is being played on Thursday 10 April.
That tie will also be broadcast live on The FA Player and the Emirates FA Cup YouTube channel and available to watch live on television in the USA (ESPN), Canada (Sportsnet) and Caribbean (Rush) for fans in those countries.
Further information on the Final will be confirmed in due course.
