No defending allowed

Saturday 24 January 2026, Aston Villa U21s 5 Ipswich Town U21s 4 - Bodymoor Training Ground, Premier League 2

What should have been the second game of a double with a Midlands U21 game in the morning, became just the only game I would see today, as my game at Cadbury Athletic was called off very late last night and then when we arrived at Ashby Ivanhoe (our back up game) we found that had also been called off whilst we were on route. So an hour in a coffee shop then a quick beer in Ashby before the short drive to Bodymoor.

Very smart complex with the Academy and Women's set up the furthest from the main road, and most impressive thing? The warm welcome, a number of other clubs could lean from Villa - fans made welcome, stewards smiling and helpful, stewards at car park - plenty of teamsheets plus a tea bar!

Ipswich had been top of the league but had lost last two games, but were on top straight away in this game, however Villa looked very sharp on the break. Ipswich took the lead from the penalty spot on 26 minutes only for Villa to equalise 2 minutes later. Villa then took the lead after 32 minutes.

Ipswich started the second half on the front foot but it was the hosts who went further ahead after 49 minutes witha long range shot that the Ipswich keeper should have stopped. Ipswich still kept pressing and got back on level terms with goals in the 52nd and 54th minute. 

The Villa forward, K Young then put Villa back ahead after 63 minutes, completing his hat trick at the same time. Villa added a fifth goal in the last minute with Ipswich then pulling one back , deep in injury time. Not a day for good defending!