U21s: Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Aston Villa

Fixtures Blackburn Rovers U21 Vs. Aston Villa U21 - Mon, Apr 6th 2026, 17:00 Cole Brannigan bagged a dramatic injury-time winner as Aston Villa came from behind to see off Blackburn Rovers 2-1 in Premier League 2 on Easter Monday. The substitute saw his 94th-minute strike deflect past Rovers ‘keeper Nicholas Michalski and find the net to seal all three points for Jimmy Shan’s side, who firmly strengthened their grip on a top-16 play-off spot. Brad Burrowes’ penalty had levelled matters in the 75th minute after TJ Carroll was fouled in the area, with the Young Lions earning reward for a dominant second-half display. Mason Cotcher headed against the crossbar in the first half after Harry Lister had fired the hosts into an early lead in Lancashire. With two PL2 matches remaining, starting with Middlesbrough at home on Friday, 15th-placed Villa can now only be caught by Wolverhampton Wanderers or Stoke City, but boast a six-point advantage and a superior goal difference. Rovers made a positive start and opened the scoring with 11 minutes on the clock, winning possession in the middle of the pitch before Lister raced clear and slotted past Sam Proctor. Jayden Sergeant fired over from the edge of the penalty area as the hosts looked to double their advantage. But it was Villa who went close in the 21st minute as George Hemmings’ ball into the box was flicked backwards by the head of Cotcher and rebounded off the crossbar. Lister tested Proctor before Teddie Bloomfield fired off target at the other end as Blackburn led at the break. The visitors saw penalty appeals waved away at the start of the second half, while Luka Lynch sent a low right-footed effort of target. Carroll then headed over the bar from close range just after the hour mark as the Young Lions looked a different proposition in the second half. And they got their reward 15 minutes from time as Carroll tangled with Lorenze Mullarky-Matthews and Burrowes slotted home the subsequent spot-kick. Substitute Alfie Lynskey was denied by a great save from Michalski following great work by Burrowes. The Villa forward, with a goal to his name, was a constant threat as Shan’s side threatened a second. And he was denied by a resilient Rovers rearguard having raced through, before Lynskey pulled an effort across goal and off target with minutes running out. But Brannigan came to the rescue deep into added time as his effort from inside the area looped off a Rovers defender and wrong-footed Michalski to secure victory. Upcoming Fixtures Aston Villa U21 Vs. Middlesbrough U21 - Fri, Apr 4th 2026, 18:00 Stoke City U21 Vs. Aston Villa U21 - Fri, Apr 4th 2026, 18:00