WATFORD'S Academy went down to Aston Villa at the weekend as they lost 3-1 at London Colney.

Despite coming from behind to level the scores, during the second half Villa were deadlier in front of goal and went on to net twice further to make the final score 3-1 to the visitors.

For the Hornets, striker Marvin Sordell started on the substitutes' bench after injury and he came on during the second half.

Rob Kiernan captained the side after making his first team debut in the FA Cup, he lined up alongside Eddie Oshodi, who recently signed a professional deal with the club.

In his absence, Matthew Whichelow led the line well and found plenty of holes in the Villa defence with some excellent runs; he was supported by Piero Mingoia as well as wide players Michael Bryan and Billy Gibson.

It took the visitors less than 10 minutes to open the scoring on a cold and blustery morning at UCL as Will Grocott blasted past Welsh stopper Jonathan North.

Ryan Simmonds and Dominic Hofbauer were involved in the move as the Hornets gave the ball away on the right flank.

The 'Orns did try and bounce back though as Kurtney Brooks had a low stinging shot well saved at the other end.

With 17 minutes on the clock, Whichelow wriggled free and hit an effort just wide of the post.

Whichelow was again causing havoc on 36 minutes as he saw another drive well saved.

Whichelow was rewarded with a goal on Saturday

Two minutes later, he got his just rewards as his low shot nestled in the corner of the net after a poor kick out from the Vila 'keeper and Bryan put his foot in to direct the ball into the path of Whichelow.

Gibson was at the heart of much of Watford's play after the interval, the winger took on the opposition and after a quick one-two he blasted over the bar from an excellent position.

The Midlands outfit took the lead through Daniel Bradley after he cut inside and planted a low shot past the diving North.

Despite the Golden Boys trying to get back on level terms and Sordell entering the fray, Villa added a third with a few minutes remaining.

After going close throughout the game, James Collins got his just rewards and scored the final goal as he was unmarked at the far post and blasted past North.

Watford's best attacking play came from Gibson again late on and Brooks' shot couldn't sneak in, then followed a goalmouth melee but the Hornets didn't have the rub of the green. 

The Academy are next in action on Monday 9 February as they take on Ipswich Town in the FA Youth Cup at Portman Road at 7pm.

To see our dedicated Academy section please click here.

WATFORD: North; Hodson, Kiernan (c), Oshodi, Lavers; Bryan (Sordell), Brooks, Penny, Gibson; Mingoia, Whichelow. Subs not used: Otshudi, Angus, Yiadom, Antal (gk).

ASTON VILLA: Siegrist; Dyer, Flanagan (c), Grocott, Roberts (Bradley 55); Lampkin, Baker, Hofbauer, Stieber; Collins, Simmonds (Gardner 45). Subs: Halfhuid, Barratt, Blythe.

SCORERS: WATFORD; Whichelow (38), ASTON VILLA; Grocott (7), Bradley, Collins (86).