Gary Gardner scored all three goals in a comprehensive victory over Ajax U19s in the Young Lions’ final group stage match of the NextGen Series at Villa Park tonight, guaranteeing a place in the quarter finals next year.

Ajax, who are now bumped down to second place in the group, have one final game; Rosenborg at home on November 29th. If Ajax fail to win in Amsterdam, Villa will win the group, earning home advantage for the next round, and will presumably also avoid Barcelona.

Aston Villa: Siegrist, Nelson-Addy, Webb, Donacien, Kinsella, Carruthers, Johnson, Gardner, Cameron, Burke, Robinson. Subs: Barrett, Caira, Drennan, Ward, Grealish, Graham, Taylor.

Ajax: Van der Hart, Nieuwpoort, Sporkslede, Denswil, Dijks, Fennich, de Bondt, Bouy, Schoop, Keskin, Gravenberch. Subs: Leewenburg, Van den Boomen, El Abed, Anderson, Tete, Becker, Armah.