Libor Kozak scores late winner as U21's beat Brighton

Things are not exactly going to plan so far this season for Aston Villa. On the bright side, the Under 21's side won again this evening against Brighton and Hove Albion, taking their unbeaten run to 4 games, with three wins in a row.

There were a few familiar faces in Villa's side this evening, as Libor Kozak and Jose Crespo started alongside new boy Tiago Ilori, who made his first appearance in the Claret and Blue. Promising youngsters Jerell Sellars, Lewis Kinsella and Kevin Toner also featured. The full starting eleven is below:

#AVFC team (v @OfficialBHAFC): Watkins, Leggett, Ilori, Toner, Crespo, Kinsella, Hale, Lyden (C), Sellars, Abdo, Kozak. #BU21PL

— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) September 14, 2015

At their home ground, which bizarrely is in Walsall, Villa got off to a terrible start. Veteran Welsh midfielder Andrew Crofts gave Brighton the lead just four minutes into the game, after a mix up in the Villa defence.

After the early setback Villa were the more offensive of the two sides, with Libor Kozak looking dangerous before Khalid Abdo hit the post after 22 minutes. Hale, Sellars and Lyden all saw attempts saved by the Brighton keeper, before Kozak had a header cleared off of the line by defender Goldson. A Villa goal seemed like an inevitability, and it happened on the stroke of half time as in form Jerell Sellars met a Khalid Abdo cut back to equalise.

The pace of the game seemed to slow in the second half, though Villa keeper Brad Watkins needed to be alert to deny Brighton substitute James Tilley in what was the visitors' best chance of the half. The game appeared to be heading to a draw but a foul on Villa's Lewis Kinsella in the 90th minute gave Villa a penalty, and Libor Kozak was on hand to slot home the winning goal.

The win sees Villa move up to second in the U21 Premier League Division 2, with only Arsenal above the Villans. Up next is an U21's derby match as Villa face West Brom two weeks today.