AcademyU21s match report: Ngumoha scores twice in Liverpool draw at Villa

The Reds went ahead courtesy of the winger in the opening half, but then fell behind following two quickfire goals from the hosts after the half-time break.

Ngumoha netted his second of the game in the closing stages to earn a point on the road for Barry Lewtas' side.

With the draw, Liverpool rounded out the regular season by securing the final play-off spot in the division to extend their campaign.

The first 45 minutes saw a number of chances shared between the two teams, with the hosts' Mason Cotcher firing a Charlie Pavey cross wide inside three minutes.

Liverpool responded thanks to a break via James McConnell, who found Trey Nyoni, though his effort was blocked away despite looking destined for the top corner of the net.

Nyoni was again involved a short while later, putting Ranel Young in; the forward cut inside and drew a strong save from Oliwier Zych with a curling shot.

Kornel Misciur also produced a string of vital stops for the Reds between the posts, first denying Jamal Jimoh-Aloba before leaping up to halt a follow-up from Kane Taylor.

The goalkeeper then saved brilliantly from a driven effort by Thierry Katsukunya, while George Hemmings struck wide for Villa.

Trent Kone-Doherty and Young also combined to leave the latter to work a near-post attempt on goal that was well saved by Zych.

Ahead of the half-time interval, it was Lewtas' outfit that broke the deadlock, Ngumoha supplying his first goal in the league at U21 level for Liverpool.

Young fed his teammate down the left to allow Ngumoha to cut inside and curl a well-placed finish into the back of the net.

However, nine minutes into the second half the hosts levelled via Pavey, who pounced from close in to convert after a Hemmings shot.

Nyoni almost put the Reds back ahead in response, though Zych denied his advances from in close.

On the hour, Villa completed their comeback and got themselves in front, Cotcher converting from inside the box to put the home side into the lead.

A number of substitutes were introduced into the contest by Liverpool as the game continued and among them was attacker Keyrol Figueroa.

His presence was felt almost immediately as he helped level the score, with his backheel setting Ngumoha free. He raced in to finish into the bottom corner of the goal for his and Liverpool's second of the night.

Buoyed by the equaliser, Tyler Morton tested the hands of Zych after driving into the area, ahead of Nyoni picking out the run of Kone-Doherty, who was unable to connect with an attempted volley.

Late on, Ngumoha was denied a winner and a hat-trick after more neat play from Kone-Doherty resulted in a shot being blocked for the winger.

Morton again went close as he fired over from inside the box, while at the opposite end in added time Misciur was required to thwart Hemmings with a strong save.

Team

Liverpool: Misciur, Davidson (Mabaya, 70), Pinnington, Nallo, Pilling, Morton, Kone-Doherty, McConnell (Balagizi, 70), Young (Figueroa, 75), Nyoni, Ngumoha.

Unused subs: R. Trueman, Laffey.