The Young Lions roared at a damp Villa Park tonight in the first leg of the FA Youth Cup final, but could only manage a 1-1 draw against a skillful Chelsea team.

I had a few technical difficulties, but eventually tunnelled my way in to see the game. I missed the opening goal, but Daniel Devine nodded in Samir Carruthers’ cross with a looping header for the only goal of the first half. Chelsea reportedly had the better of the first half and they certainly seemed to edge the balance of play based on the closing 15 minutes that I caught.

Chelsea bossed the opening of the second period, although there were lively signs from left winger Tomos Roberts, Ellis Deeney playing at left back and Carruthers, on the right wing, was certainly feisty.

The visitors should have equalised around the hour mark after goal scorer Devine slipped in possession just to the left of Siegrist’s goal. The Chelsea player cut the ball back to the penalty spot, but the shot that followed couldn’t beat Berry on the line, who was playing right back, but is listed as a striker. Replays suggested there was a hint of handball, but if that was the case there was nothing deliberate about it.

Chelsea did get back on terms in the 66th minute courtesy of a Bruma free kick from around 25 yards. He did well to get the ball over the wall and back down, but under 17 World Cup winner Benjamin Siegrist might have hoped to have done better with the save.

The home side still struggled to impose themselves on the game. In fact, they barely got out of their half and any time they did, were swallowed up by Blue shirts. Eventually Tony McAndrew decided to change his strike force with Darkin replacing Kofi Poyser and the big Dutch defender, Arsenio Halfhuid, coming on in place of the pacy Ryan Simmonds for the last 10 minutes.

Halfhuid’s already shown that he has a nose for goal recently, but didn’t get a look in tonight. Chelsea did close out the last minute of normal time by striking the foot of the post, but that was to be their last attempt of the night.

Villa probed for an opening during the 4 minutes of added time, but couldn’t find a way through the resolute Chelsea defence and will now go to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday with the score still even – it does not appear to me that the away goal rule applies. (The 2007 Final went to penalties after Liverpool won 0-1 at Old Trafford despite Utd winning the first leg 1-2 at Anfield).

Chelsea have to be clear favourites, but there’s enough talent and tenacity among the young Villans to cause an upset and it only takes a moment of brilliance.

Overall, it’s encouraging to see the kids make it to the final for the first time since the side that included Olejnik, Gardner, Cahill, Gabby and Luke Moore lost 4-0 to Boro in 2004. We have won this competition three times, most recently in 2002, notably beating an Everton team that included a young Wayne Rooney 4-2.

It will be interesting to see who makes it from this team. I’d say that Siegrist, Carruthers and Halfhuid would have to be among the favourites.

Once again, the future is bright, the future is claret and blue!

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