Arsenal 14-year-old Ethan Nwaneri helped make another goal for the u18s on Saturday as they saw off Aston Villa with a 94th-minute winner.

The Arsenal u18s bounced back from a poor defeat to Crystal Palace with a win against Reading last time out, but they hadn’t managed consecutive wins in all competitions since October 2nd.

Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa gave them the chance to change that, and a couple of members of the Reading win were rewarded with further starts.

Young Ethan Nwaneri had set up two goals for Matheus Roberts that game, his first start of the season, and both Nwaneri and Roberts retained their places in the side.

The game didn’t begin as planned, however, as Taylor Jay-Hart gave Villa the lead in the 10th minute.

Arsenal had multiple opportunities to respond, with Billy Vigar heading a Nwaneri cross wide before seeing a penalty saved. Vigar had stepped up to the spot-kick after James Sweet was fouled.

The young Gunners found their equaliser just before half-time, with Amario Cozier-Duberry setting up Mauro Bandeira for a long-distance effort.

Early in the second half, Nwaneri was involved again, playing the ball to Josh Robinson, who carried the ball impressively before finishing at the near post for 2-1. Roberts then hit the bar with a chance for a third.

But Robinson then went from hero to villain with an own goal, setting up a dramatic finish.

Substitute Charles Sagoe Jr almost found a winner after rounding the goalkeeper in the 88th minute, but his finish was cleared off the line.

Sagoe Jr then got in behind from a long pass from fellow sub Jimi Gower in the 94th minute, and this time he made no mistake, slotting the ball into the net for 3-2.

The win keeps the u18s in sixth place in the table, but it should do a lot for the team’s confidence.

Sagoe Jr is making a habit of key late goals with the Arsenal u18s this season.

The 17-year-old has scored an 85th-minute equaliser against Fulham, a 92nd-minute winner against Newport County, a 94th-minute winner against Aston Villa, and a 73rd-minute goal against West Ham that set up a two-goal comeback. Keep them coming!

Arsenal u18 lineup vs Aston Villa

Kovacevic, Ibrahim, Sousa, Foran, Roberts, Nwaneri, Sweet, Bandeira, Vigar, Robinson, Cozier-Duberry

Substitutes

Fedorushchenko, Quamina (for Sousa, 45), Davies, Gower (for Nwaneri, 71), Sagoe Jr (for Vigar, 62)

What’s next?

The Arsenal u18s are in action again next Saturday, facing West Bromwich Albion at home at 12:00 GMT.