Report: Bristol City Under-23s 0-3 Aston Villa Under-23s.

In a game of very few chances, the away side made their efforts count as Kelsey Mooney gave Villa a half-time lead.

Second half goals from Jake Doyle-Hayes and Callum O’Hare meant the away side were comfortable winners at SGS College.

City’s best chance of the game fell to Tom Richards, whose side-footed effort flashed narrowly wide of the post.

Luke Williams’ side went into this clash looking for their first victory in the competition, after defeats to Villa and Derby County, as well as a goalless draw to Plymouth Argyle.

The game lacked a clinical edge for most of the first half, with a lack of chances at both ends of the pitch.

However, the game’s opening goal came from its first clear-cut chance. Mooney was played through on goal, and rolled the ball beyond Aaron Sainsbury.

That goal seemed to be the only opportunity for either side in a lacklustre first half.

In the second half, City started the brighter side. Ricardo Rees fired goalward from the edge of the box, forcing the Aston Villa goalkeeper to claim it at the second attempt.

Sainsbury was then called to action himself, getting down well to deny Harvey Knibbs with a great save.

Shortly after the hour mark, Villa’s lead was doubled from a set-piece. Doyle-Hayes stepped up and curled a free kick into the top left corner, leaving Sainsbury no chance.

The second goal seemed to spur City into life, as they went within inches of pulling one back. After some good play from Sam Pearson and Sam Bell, the ball fell to Richards, whose shot went wide of the post.

Knibbs, again, caused the City defence trouble as he skipped beyond a couple of challenges, before shooting. Sainsbury thwarted Knibbs again, saving well.

And with the game coming to its end, the away side added a third. O’Hare found some space in the City box, rounded Sainsbury, and rolled the ball into an empty net.

A tough night for City, but they will want to bounce back with a win in their next fixture, as they host Cardiff City in a Severnside Derby clash.

City Under-23s: Sainsbury, Turner-Williams, C.Pearson, Richards, Low, Ali, S.Pearson, Jamie Taylor (Owers), Rees, Smith (Bell), Harper. Unused Subs: Buse, James Taylor, Soady.

Written by Ryan Payne.