U18s preview: Arsenal v Aston Villa | Pre-Match Report | News
Our Under 18s will host Aston Villa on Saturday 1st November, aiming to get their U18 Premier League South campaign back on track. Kick-off at Sobha Reality Training Center is scheduled for midday (UK time).
If we remained undefeated in our first six league matches, with four wins and two draws, October was a difficult month for our young Gunners, after two defeats against West Bromwich Albion and Fulham. Despite the recent dip in form, we remain one point behind leaders Crystal Palace – see the ranking.
In our defeat to the Cottagers a week ago, Ceadach O’Neill halved the deficit after we were two points down early on, but the comeback was halted by a defensive blockade in the second half, and we ultimately fell to a 2-1 defeat.
The Opposition
The Villans were crowned U18 Premier League South champions last season. However, like us, they have had a mixed start to 2025/26, with four wins recorded against Brighton and Hove Albion, Norwich City and Palace, and their most recent, a 5-2 victory over Southampton. They are currently in seventh place with 12 points, two less than us, but have played one game less.
In the U18 Premier League Cup, Villa got off to a perfect start in Group B with impressive triumphs against Liverpool and Newcastle. A point or more from their final game against Leicester City will seal their place as group winners.
The Birmingham-based side are also competing in the UEFA Youth League at under-19 level, for only the second time in their history, having been knocked out in the round of 16 last season against eventual winners Barcelona. This season they entered the competition via the domestic champions route and are soon set to play the second leg of their clash against Albanian side KF Skënderbeu, with the match drawing after a 1-1 draw on the continent.
We last faced the Young Lions on the final day of 2024/25 in a 3-0 victory, when a double from Max Dowman, followed by a third from Louis Zecevic John, beat the already confirmed title winners and secured our third place.
How to follow
Kick-off is at 12pm (UK time). Live updates will be available on our Academy X page, with a full match report on Arsenal.com shortly after the final whistle.
After the match, fans will be able to watch interviews with Adam Birchall and one of our young Gunners, as well as highlights of all the key actions.
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