**U18 Premier League**
**Arsenal 2 (Frohock 76, O’Neill 89 (pen.)) Aston Villa 6 (McGrath 8, Hashi 34 (o.g.), Lynskey 37, 55, Meade 45, Hayward 90)**
Arsenal U18s’ concerning form continued as they were beaten 6-2 at home by Aston Villa today.
Adam Birchall’s side found themselves 4-0 down at half time and the conceded early in the second half.
Although they reduced the deficit through Marley Frohock’s first goal at this level and a penalty from Ceadach O’Neill, Villa struck again late on.
The result means that Arsenal U18s have now lost their last three league games in succession, with that run extending to four in all competitions.
Arsenal were without defender Samuel Onyekachukwu, with Abraham Owusu-Gyasi coming into the side. Callan Hamill returned to the team while Josiah King and Kyran Thompson are both with England U17s.
**Ranson**
**Hamill-Owusu Gyasi-Chapman-Ogunnaike**
**Murisa**
**Hashi-Julienne**
**Bailey Joseph-O’Neill-Marciniak**
**Subs: Stachow (for Chapman, 46), B. Phillips (for Bailey-Joseph, 46), Frohock (for Marciniak, 46), Tahou (for Hamill, 62). Not used: Talbot.**
Villa took the lead in the eighth minute through Jack McGrath.
An own goal from Maalik Hashi then added to Villa’s advantage before Alfie Lynskey made it 3-0.
There was further frustration to come for Arsenal as Markie Meade scored.
Arsenal coach Adam Birchall made a triple substitution ahead of the second half with Patrick Stachow (making his U18 league debut), Bowen Phillips and Frohock all coming on for Sam Chapman, Brando Bailey-Joseph and Alex Marciniak.
Villa, though, proceeded to score a fifth goal as Lynskey got his second of the game.
Arsenal eventually managed to get a goal back through Frohock and then O’Neill converted a penalty which he had won himself.
However, Vinnie Hayward’s late goal restored Villa’s four-goal advantage and summed up a hugely frustrating day for Arsenal.
Birchall will certainly have concerns about his team’s recent form, although they are not in action again until they face Norwich in the Premier League Cup on November 22nd, when a significant improvement will be required.