The Under-18s maintained their strong finish to the season with a 1-0 win over FA Youth Cup finalists, Aston Villa.

Another encouraging performance from a youth team made up predominantly of first year scholars proved that Saints can more than match the top sides in the country at this level as they unrelentingly pressed the Villains at Staplewood on Saturday morning.

A competitive first half saw little to choose between the two sides, but Dave Puckett had to shuffle his pack early on when forward Sam Hoskins succumbed to an injury, with Under-16s striker Jake Sinclair making his 18s debut.

The tempo changed in the second 45 as the hosts went up a gear with both Sinclair and midfielder Andy Robinson going close, the former hitting the bar when put through by James Ward-Prowse.

The breakthrough arrived inside the last quarter of an hour when Daryl McLean was brought down in the box on the left hand side, giving defender Lloyd Foot a chance from the penalty spot which he dispatched unerringly to earn Saints the victory.

"We did exceptionally well," Puckett beamed afterwards. "We believed we could have a good end to the season and have set ourselves targets that will stand the boys in good stead.

"The fitness levels we are showing are terrific, and the strength, power and pace in our play, pleased me as much as our team spirit and togetherness which has seen us through against a top side at this level, which bodes well for the future."

Saints Under-18s: Dovey, Nicholas, Foot, Tafazolli, B. Martin, Isgrove, Robinson, Ward-Prowse, Moore, McLean, Hoskins, (Sinclair 15). Subs (not used): Mowthorpe, Chambers, Bowman, Curtis.