Aston Villa youngster hungry for more FA Youth Cup glory
Match-winner Brad Burrowes says Villa’s youngsters are hungry for more FA Youth Cup glory after taking another step toward retaining their crown.
Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Wrexham at Hednesford Town, courtesy of Burrowes’ 12th minute strike, set up a quarter-final tie with Crystal Palace next month.
Burrowes is among several players who were also part of the team which won the Youth Cup for the fifth time in the club’s history last season, beating Manchester City in the final.
And he believes the combination of older heads and new blood is driving them on to more success.
The England youth international explained: “We’ve got a team where obviously half of us have won the competition already, then the other half coming up have got the exact same hunger, because they’ve seen what we’ve done last season and want that same experience.
“So that, joined together, can be unstoppable at times.
“Obviously, that’s the bigger picture. We try and take it game by game as much as possible.
“Tonight was the only focus. Now, going into next round, it’s Palace, so that’s the only focus – not trying to get too ahead of ourselves, but also, (winning the competition) is the main aim at the end of the day.”
Burrowes, who has now scored five goals in this season’s competition, came close to open the scoring in the second minute when he tested goalkeeper Dan O’Keefe with a stinging half-volley.
But he was not to be denied soon after when he drove in from the right and sent a curling, left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
Villa had chances to extend their lead before the break but had to weather pressure in the second half, with Wes Graham missing a golden opportunity to equalise.
“We played well in the first half,” said Villa under-18s boss Richard Beale. “We got the goal, and in the second half, a little bit stop-start, and we never really got going as much.
“We always want to start fast. We had conceded the first goal in the previous two (Youth Cup) games, and we never plan for that at all.
“If you can get your nose in front, as proven today, sometimes it can be the difference, so we did talk about a fast start, and the lads carried that out really, really well, which is pleasing.
“We knew it would be a tough game, and obviously delighted to get through, and to be in the last eight of the Youth Cup.”
