Villa’s decision to stick with their young guns paid off as they swept aside Sunderland 3-1 to be crowned Premier Reserve League national champions.

The hosts took a deserved lead after 25 minutes when Johnathan Hogg laid the ball off to Nathan Delfouneso and his shot flew beyond goalkeeper Nick Colgan with the aid of a deflection.

But Villa’s lead was to last just three minutes, when Elliot Parish failed to make what looked a comfortable save from Martyn Waghorn’s effort.

Colgan then made a superb double save to deny Ciaran Clark from close range.

But there was nothing the Republic of Ireland international could do to keep out James Collins’ bullet header from the impressive Marc Albrighton’s cross.

Victory was wrapped up three minutes from time when an Albrighton centre was flicked on by Chris Herd, with Shane Lowry on hand to fire home.

Villa: Parish, Lichaj, Lowry, Hogg, Clark, Roome, Albrighton, Bannan (Gardner, 88), Wiemann (Collins, 53), Delfouneso, Hofbauer (Herd, 86).

Sunderland: Colgan, Kay, Adams, Meyler, M’Voto, Hartley, Weir (Madden, 75), Cook (Chandler, 85), Dowson, Colback, Waghorn.

Man of the Match: Barry Bannan