Match Preview: Aston Villa

8 October 2019

Setting the scene…

Tranmere Rovers return to Prenton Park on Tuesday night when they host Aston Villa’s U21 side in the Leasing.com Trophy Group C Northern section.

Micky Mellon’s men are back in action following Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Shrewsbury Town in Sky Bet League One.

Villa’s youngsters, managed by Mark Delaney, lost 2-0 away at Salford City in their last Leasing.com Trophy outing.

Team News

Rovers forward Rushian Hepburn-Murphy will be ineligible against his parent club tomorrow night.

David Perkins will be sidelined following recent injuries whilst George Ray and Sid Nelson are recovering from recent injuries.

Calum Woods and Morgan Ferrier remain out, likewise Jacob Maddox, Ishmael Miller, Evan Gumbs, Mark Ellis and Kane Wilson.

Midfielder Neil Danns is a doubt with a groin issue that he sustained in Saturday’s loss to Shrewsbury.

One to Watch

Midfielder Jacob Ramsey leads Aston Villa’s U21’s goal charts with three goals to his name.

Progressing through the club’s youth ranks, Ramsey signed a professional contract in January 2019, making his debut in a Sky Bet Championship Midlands derby at West Bromwich Albion a month later.

The 18-year-old was named Villa’s Academy Player of the Year at the end of last season and has continued his form into this campaign.

Ramsey is also an England youth international, capped at U18 and U19 level.

Match Officials

Referee: Ollie Yates

Assistant Referees: Matthew Bristow and Alan Clayton

Fourth Official: Richard Woodward

Tickets

The following stands are open: Bebington End Main Stand, Bebington Paddock, Town End Main Stand, Town Paddock, Cowshed Stand (away supporters).

The Gold and Platinum Lounge will also be open.

Prices are as follows:

Adults: £5

Senior 65+: £5

Young Person 18-22: £5

Disabled: £5

U18: £1

U12: £1

Carer: FREE

*There will be a £3 increase on the day in store and on the gate, except for Under 12's.

Gold Lounge:

Adult: £10

U18: £6

Platinum Lounge:

Adult: £25

U18: £11

U12: £11

Platinum and Gold Lounge Season Card Holders will be able to gain entry with their Season Card for this match and the match against Salford City. This also applies to Car Park Season Card Holders. No payment will be required for either of these.

Matchday Programme: 24-pages, £1.50.

To purchase tickets online please click here or visit us in store.

Match Coverage

UK-based and international subscribers can watch the action unfold from the comfort of their own home with a Match Pass for just £10!

TRFC’s iFollow commentary team of Phil Wilkinson, Rob Edwards and Adam Siddorn will bring you uninterrupted commentary of the fixture.

iFollow is the official streaming service of Tranmere Rovers Football Club, allowing the SWA to see live streaming of matches, audio match commentary and behind the scenes content while you can get closer to the Club by watching on any device and in any location around the globe.

Seventy per-cent of revenues from iFollow will go back into Tranmere Rovers Football Club. With the new campaign underway, exciting content will be coming to iFollow Tranmere throughout the 2019/20 term.

iFollow operates five separate packages including Audio Season Pass, Audio Monthly Pass, Video Match Pass, Audio Match Pass and a Basic Pass.

To sign-up, CLICK HERE.

To find out more about the available packages, CLICK HERE.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Tranmere 2-1 Aston Villa U21

8 October 2019

Goals from George Ray and Connor Jennings sealed a 2-1 win for Tranmere Rovers against Aston Villa U21s at Prenton Park in the Leasing.com Trophy.

The win sealed Rovers' place in the knockout round of the competition, and we will qualify alongside League Two side Salford City.

The visitors took an early lead as Cameron Borthwick Jackson’s throw in goes to nobody in the middle of the pitch and Villa striker Archer fired past Luke Pilling from 18-yards out.

Rovers nearly made an immediate impact as Jennings was played through by Kieron Morris, but our number 11 struck wide.

Corey Blackett-Taylor was looking lively against his former team mates, and his clever run from the left was well saved by the goalkeeper.

In the 13^th minute, Ray sweeped home majestically from a Blackett-Taylor cross to level proceedings at Prenton Park.

The blistering pace of Blackett-Taylor was there for all to see, and again he caused Villa problems, picking up a pass from Jennings and darted into the box, but was denied by the goalkeeper.

Tranmere were starting to show their dominance and experience, controlling possession but the youngsters from Villa Park were dangerous when attacking, something Rovers had to be wary of.

The half ended with Harvey Gilmour firing over the bar with all to play for in the second period.

Morris had the first chance for Rovers in the second half, his powerful effort blocked for a corner, and seconds later, Ray’s downward header bounces over the bar.

On the hour mark, Jennings volleyed past the post, with goalkeeper Jamie Searie rooted to the spot, a certain goal if the effort was on target.

Rovers’ pressure finally paid off with 13 minutes to remain, Jennings meeting a Blackett-Taylor corner to scramble home.

Tranmere should have made it three but Jordan Ponticelli missed the target from two yards out after Manny Monthe’s header rebounded off the post into the path of the striker.

However, Tranmere comfortably claimed the win and secure their passage into the next round of the competition.

TRFC: Pilling, Borthwick Jackson, Ray (Ridehalgh 80), Monthe, Caprice, Potter, Gilmour, Blackett-Taylor (Mullin 80), Morris, Jennings, Ponticelli. Unused subs: Davies, Payne, Walker-Rice, Thompson, Spellman.

Match Reports

Ticket News

Aston Villa tickets now on sale

1 October 2019

Tickets for our fixture against Aston Villa U21s on 8th October 2019 in the Leasing.com Trophy are now on sale. Kick off is at 7:45pm.