Under-18 Report by Ali Bunker

Mike Dove was left disappointed and frustrated after his side succumbed to a heavy defeat at the hands of Aston Villa, despite matching their counterparts for much of the game at Woughton on Saturday.

A well-worked goal from Charlie Collins proved scant consolation for the Dons as goals from Courtney Cameron, Kofi Poyser, Daniel Devine and Arsenio Halfhuid secured the win.

A bright start from the visitors saw them work Dons 'keeper Ashley Harrison after just seven minutes. The Dons number one was quick off his line to prevent Jason Lampkin from opening the scoring after he broke free of a makeshift Dons backline.

And with the likes of Harry Milton and Tom Flanagan missing from the defence it was always going to be a difficult day for full-backs George Williams and captain Adam Chicksen who filled in at the heart of the defence.

Poyser nearly capped a bright start with a goal after 15 minutes when he met Lampkin's cross with a looping header, only to be denied by the upright.

The Dons were battling hard though and almost opened the scoring when Hayden Carter fought of the challenges of two defenders to lay the ball off to Martel Powell, whose long range effort dipped narrowly wide.

Troy Farden battles for possession in midfield.

Moments later the visitors were ahead. After some neat passing down the right flank, Ryan Simmonds found space to play a low cross into the path of Cameron who duly slotted the ball into an empty net.

With the passing and movement of Villa's youngsters causing the Dons a few problems, it became evident that the homes side were going to have to capitalise on any errors the visitors made. Powell almost did just that when some hesitation at the centre of Villa's defence allowed him to steal with the keeper to beat, but with the ball bouncing awkwardly his lobbed effort failed to find its way over Thomas Dau.

With the game heading to half-time Villa doubled their lead when Will Grocott delivered a pinpoint cross from the right which found Poyser unmarked, the striker nodded home well giving Harrison no chance.

The second half started at a much slower pace than the first as the Dons started keeping possession well and began to work the ball forward better. They got their reward after 67 minutes when Chicksen's low, driven corner was slammed home by Collins at the near-post.

Skipper Adam Chicksen plays a ball downfield.

With a Dons recovery seemingly on the cards, Villa struck the killer blow moments later when Devine headed home from a corner of their own after Harrison spilt the initial cross.

With the momentum now knocked out of the home side, Halfhuid added a fourth, again from a Villa corner, to clinch the result which was harsh on the Dons.

After the game Dove was left to reflect on the positives of the defeat:

"I don't think 4-1 was a fair result really but you have to take the positives from it. We know we're not a big and strong side like them so we have to work harder when we have the ball.

Mike Dove gives instructions to his young players.

"I've been showing the lads some clips of Xavi from Barcelona against Manchester United this week and telling them not to be bored with the ball.

"We had two full-backs playing at centre-half today with two youngsters either side of them.

"Jordan Ivey-Ward had just played a half of football for the Under-16s when he came on, so it was good for him to get on."

The Under-18s' next fixture sees them host Dunstable Town in the First Round of the FA Youth Cup at stadiummk on Wednesday.

MK Dons: Harrison, Browne (Ivey-Ward 70), McGovern, Lee (S. Powell 89), Chicksen (c), Williams, Farden (G. Baldock 62), Dowling, Collins, M. Powell, Carter.

Subs not used: Matt Goode, Ryan Plowright