Villa on the road to the semi's

Last updated : 14 February 2008 By Tom Vickers
The talented Villa youth team are through to the F.A. Youth Cup semi finals. Two goals inside the opening ten minutes finished off Carlisle at Brunton Park.
The academy squad are clearly one of the best in the country and the current youth have good role models in the first team such as Gabby Agbonlahor who graduated through the ranks.
Harry Forrester and Barry Bannan are two strikers looking to follow in the footsteps of Agbonlahor and they were both on the scoresheet in this game.
Forrester started the scoring on eight minutes after Nathan Delfouneso played a good ball to him, which he took well and hammered into the net.
Just two minutes later the Young Lions had the chance to double the lead as James Collins was fouled in the box.
The ever reliable Scot Barry Bannan fired in from the spot and the tie was looking comfortable for Villa.
The Claret and Blue overwhelmed the home side in the first half with Albrighton, Collins and Forrester coming close before Delfouneso nearly scored just before the break but saw his shot saved by he keeper.
After half time it was the same story as Carlisle keeper Mitchell continued to deny Villa a rout.
He saved well from Delfouneso again on 57 and then Forrester three minutes later.
After Forrester again went close and Collins missed a chance, Mitchell made another two good saves to consolidate his claim for the Man of the Match award.
Hindmarch had a couple of opportunities to reduce the arrears but he missed what were Carlisle's only real chances in the whole game.
The Young Lions roar on to the semi-finals looking to win the trophy that was won by players such as Luke Moore and Steven Davis in 2002. 
Good luck lads!