U18s Youth Cup quarter-final preview Palace v Aston Villa: Young Eagles take on five-time winners

Match previews

2 hours ago

Crystal Palace Under-18s will compete in their first FA Youth Cup quarter-final in over 15 years on Tuesday (10th March, 18:00 GMT), travelling to face reigning champions Aston Villa at Villa Park.

The game kicks off on Tuesday, 10th March at 18:00 GMT at Villa Park and will be broadcast live on the official Emirates FA Cup YouTube channel – click here to watch.

If you can’t catch it live, supporters can follow live commentary on our Academy X (Twitter) page, with a full match report and reaction published shortly after full-time on our Academy news section and Palace TV+.

You can also stay updated via the official Crystal Palace App, which delivers goal alerts and key match notifications straight to your phone. Live Opta stats on the app will keep you informed throughout the game.

Even before kick-off and after the final whistle, you can access previews, reaction, and video content all in one place, ensuring you don’t miss a moment of the action.

Be there in person by purchasing your tickets via Aston Villa’s website.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of a historic night for the young Eagles!

Eagle-Eyed Review

Palace head into the quarter-final in strong form after booking their place in the U18 Premier League Cup final with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Hotspur Way Training Centre on Wednesday afternoon.

The first half proved cagey, with few clear opportunities for either side. Palace weathered early pressure thanks to crucial defensive interventions from Dylan Monk and Euan Danaher, while Spurs forward Reiss Elliott-Parris remained a threat.

Gradually the young Eagles began to assert themselves, with dangerous deliveries from Jasper Judd and Dean Benamar increasing the pressure.

The decisive moment arrived in the 80th minute when Judd’s inswinging corner found David Angibeaud, whose powerful header secured victory and set up a final against Manchester United at Selhurst Park - click HERE to find out more.

That success followed a thrilling 3–2 league victory over West Ham United in the U18 Premier League South. The result represented a strong response to a narrow 1–0 defeat against Leicester City, which had ended Palace’s five-game unbeaten run.

Currently third in the table on 31 points, the young Eagles sit five points behind leaders Tottenham and remain firmly in the title race - momentum they will hope to carry into Youth Cup action…

Palace’s FAYC Story So Far…

Fifteen years is a long time in football – particularly at Academy level.

Generations of young Eagles have represented Palace since the club last reached this stage of the FA Youth Cup in February 2010 against Hull City. Now, this current Under-18s group has the opportunity to write its own chapter in club history.

Palace’s journey began under the lights at Selhurst Park on a wet December evening, as the young Eagles defeated Bradford City 3–0 in the Third Round.

Despite dominating possession, Palace were initially frustrated by visiting ‘keeper Jack Robinson.

The breakthrough eventually arrived in the second half when Joel Drakes-Thomas won a penalty, which Benji Casey calmly converted. Substitute Stuart Oduro then struck twice in quick succession to seal victory.

The Fourth Round brought a challenging away trip to Newcastle United at Whitley Park. Palace again impressed, with David Angibeaud opening the scoring before Casey doubled the lead early in the second half.

When Newcastle threatened a response, Jack Mason produced an outstanding reaction save before Palace accelerated clear. Angibeaud added his second and Casey wrapped up a dominant 4–0 win.

A tougher test awaited in the last 16 against Category Three Stevenage. Palace struck twice midway through the first half as Oduro finished after a pass from Jasper Judd before Casey’s driven cross forced an own goal.

Stevenage pulled one back before half-time, ensuring a tense second period, but disciplined defending saw the young Eagles hold on for a 2–1 victory and a long-awaited quarter-final place!

Palace’s proud FA Youth Cup legacy

Since its introduction in the 1952/53 season, the FA Youth Cup has remained one of the most prestigious competitions in English youth football.

The tournament mirrors the structure of the FA Cup, the world’s oldest domestic cup competition, with clubs across the football pyramid entering qualifying rounds before the professional academies join.

Palace famously lifted the trophy in back-to-back seasons in 1977 and 1978.

That golden generation featured the likes of Vince Hilaire, Kenny Sansom and Terry Fenwick – players who would later form the backbone of the club’s famous ‘Team of the Eighties’.

Aston Villa U18s’ road to the Youth Cup final

Reigning champions Aston Villa began their title defence with a 4–1 victory over Doncaster Rovers at the Eco-Power Stadium.

Despite falling behind early, Villa responded impressively as goals from Bradley Burrowes (two), Max Jenner and Jack McGrath secured progression.

The Fourth Round saw Villa again come from behind to defeat Fleetwood Town 3–2 at Highbury Stadium, with Burrowes scoring twice and McGrath also on the scoresheet.

Villa then booked their quarter-final place with a narrow 1–0 win over Wrexham at Keys Park, Bradley Burrowes’ early goal proving decisive.

The forward’s strike – his fifth of the competition – ensured the holders progressed to a last-eight meeting with Palace.

Villa’s history in the Youth Cup

Villa are one of the most successful clubs in FA Youth Cup history.

The Midlands side first lifted the trophy in 1972 with a 5–2 aggregate victory over Liverpool.

They added further titles in 1980, 2002 and 2021 before winning again last season with a 3–1 victory over Manchester City.

That triumph secured Villa’s fifth Youth Cup title and confirmed their reputation as one of the competition’s modern powerhouses.

Our Opponents - Aston Villa form guide

Villa entered the season as reigning champions of the U18 Premier League South after winning the title in 2024/25.

This campaign has been more mixed. The Villans currently sit seventh in the division on 28 points, level with West Ham and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Much of last season’s successful squad has progressed to the Under-21s, contributing to a more transitional year.

Villa won seven of their opening 11 league matches but have recorded only two domestic victories since the turn of the year – including an impressive 2–1 win over then-leaders Chelsea and a late 1–0 triumph against Reading.

In cup competition, Villa progressed through the U18 Premier League Cup group stage with a perfect record before exiting in the quarter-finals following a penalty shootout defeat to West Ham.

Likely line-up

Aston Villa expected XI: Owen Asemota; Junior Wilson, Woody Burgess (c), Leon Routh, Teddie Bloomfield; Max Jenner, Alfie Lynskey; Bradley Burrowes, Fletcher Boyd, Jack McGrath; Markie Meade.

Villa Team News

‘Keeper Owen Asemota is expected to start, with Woody Burgess likely to captain the side from central defence.

Leon Routh and Junior Wilson are also expected to feature at the back, though Finlay Barnard could come into contention.

In midfield, Max Jenner and Alfie Lynskey are likely to form the central partnership, with Bradley Burrowes, Fletcher Boyd and Jack McGrath operating behind striker Markie Meade.

Several players – similar to Palace’s squad – have featured for the club’s Under-21s in recent weeks but are expected to return to the Under-18 side for this quarter-final.

Key Players – Alfie Lynskey and Markie Meade

Midfielder Alfie Lynskey played a key role in Villa’s remarkable 2024/25 season, which saw the club win the U18 Premier League South, the FA Youth Cup and the Premier League National Final.

A product of the Villa Academy since the age of nine, the Republic of Ireland youth international signed his first professional contract in December 2024 before agreeing a new deal in January 2026.

The creative midfielder has also stepped up to Premier League 2 this season and has made appearances across both the Under-18 and Under-21 sides.

Up front, striker Markie Meade has emerged as one of Villa’s most dangerous attacking threats.

The forward scored a dramatic 90th-minute winner against Reading in Villa’s most recent league outing and currently has nine league goals and four assists this season.

Comfortable both leading the line and dropping deeper to link play, Meade has also featured for Villa’s Under-21 side in recent months.

The Gaffer – Richard Beale

Richard Beale returned to Aston Villa F.C. in the summer as the club’s Under-18 Lead Coach.

The Solihull-born coach previously worked with the same age group at Villa in 2019 before developing his coaching career with West Bromwich Albion, Birmingham City and Solihull Moors.

Now back at Bodymoor Heath, Beale leads a talented group aiming to defend the Youth Cup crown they lifted last season.

How to follow

The game kicks off on Tuesday, 10th March at 18:00 GMT at Villa Park and will be broadcast live on the official Emirates FA Cup YouTube channel – click here to watch.

Even before kick-off and after the final whistle, you can access previews, reaction, and video content all in one place, ensuring you don’t miss a moment of the action.

Be there in person by purchasing your tickets via Aston Villa’s website.

Ticket Information:

Tickets are on sale now via Aston Villa’s website (50p transaction fee applies for online and phone sales):

Adults: £5
Under-18s: £2

Important Information:

All tickets are digital; no collections available.
Tickets appear in the Aston Villa app and can be downloaded to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.
Print-at-home tickets are available on request.
Tickets are non-refundable.
Aston Villa manage sales for both home and away supporters. No segregation; visiting fans can purchase seats in available on-sale blocks.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Match Details

Aston Villa U18s v Crystal Palace U18s

Tuesday, 10th March
18:00 GMT
FA Youth Cup quarter-final
Villa Park
Watch LIVE on the official Emirates FA Cup YouTube channel
Buy tickets HERE

Related News

More News