Southampton: Saints’s U23s handed first defeat by Aston Villa
By Marc Walker
Southampton’s U23s were handed their first defeat of the 2018/19 season on Friday evening after losing 1-0 to Aston Villa.
A second-half header from Villa midfielder Jack Clarke proved enough to win the game at Staplewood and saw Radhi Jaidi’s Southampton side have their seven match unbeaten run ended.
Michael Obafemi would twice go close for Saints in the first-half, but he was denied by the crossbar and opposition keeper as he tried to put his side ahead.
The result saw Villa climb into top spot in Premier League 2 Division 2 with 12 points, whilst Saints sit second with 11 points following three wins, two draws and a loss.
Next Wednesday provides an opportunity for Jaidi’s side to return to winning ways. They play their second game in the Premier League International Cup and host FC Porto, who won the competition last season.
Next. Liverpool vs Southampton: Opposition Threat. dark
22: Big chance! @michaelobafemi_ denied by the crossbar, as he swivelled effectively in the box after a smart knockdown from @Callumslattery8! #saintsfc (0-0) pic.twitter.com/FCkPNvljiu
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) September 21, 2018
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Early signs point towards a successful season for the U23s, and participation in the International Cup will put them up against many of Europe’s best young players.
High-profile and high quality games will be what the players need at this stage of their development, especially with a lack of youngsters pushing into the first-team in recent times.
Recognition of the development and potential of a couple of academy prospects came this week with two new contracts handed out by the club.
Full-Back Jake Vokins signed a two-year contract extension which will see him stay at the club until 2021.
Having been called up to the England Under-19s squad during the international break, the 18-year-old is clearly someone that the club feel they can progress further.
They have a good previous record of producing high-quality Left-Backs too having had players such as Luke Shaw, Wayne Bridge and Matt Targett progress through their ranks.
17-year-old Right-Back Kayne Ramsay also put pen to paper and signed terms for his first professional contract.
He has already made his mark on Under-23s level despite his tender years after joining the Saints from Chelsea last summer.