Report by SJG

EFL VERTU TROPHY

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs ASTON VILLA U21

18^th August 2026

ROLLER COASTER RIDE GIVES PLENTY OF ‘FOOD FOR THOUGHT’

The visitors arrived in Wigan for their opening fixture in group B, with Latics, Villa U21s, Blackpool and Crewe Alexandra making up the four-team group.              

With a first group-stage victory at stake and the opportunity to put Saturday's disappointment behind them, Latics were looking to make a fast start under the lights at the Brick Community Stadium. 

The first sighter on goal fell Latics' way after a bright start. Connor Barrett won a free-kick out on the right and Archie Harris whipped a curling ball towards the head of Sam Bolland, but he could only flick wide. Aston Villa were showing their composure on the ball, but Wigan looked dangerous from set pieces and when they were gifted a corner it was swung in towards Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, who rose highest to head down towards the bottom corner, but Blade Earley was there to dive low and palm any danger away.                                                                       

Latics made their dominance pay in the 27th minute when Barrett worked his way down the right to whip a lovely ball towards the back post and MARNI-MILLER who arrived at pace and side footed a first-time volley past Earley. Latics kept probing as they moved the ball well in midfield. A second goal arrived and this time Barrett was again the provider. This time, the ex-Walsall man, zipped a ball across the face of goal, where Moseley was lying in wait to poke at goal, but FEENEY, under pressure from the young Wigan striker deflected the ball beyond his own keeper.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 Aston Villa.

Wigan had ended the first period in total control, and the manager made several changes at the break to give more of his squad minutes on the pitch. Villa, who had, occasionally, looked lively put together an attack of their own, ending with Kane Taylor curling a shot from just inside the area, which Joe Walsh watched over the bar. Latics produced a fast break themselves as space began to open up in the game. Akeel Higgins raced forwards before sliding in Barrett, who took one touch and unleashed a fierce strike at goal, which was well-saved by Earley. 

The young Villa side continued to have spells, and they almost pulled a goal back through Ben Broggio, who wrestled away from his marker to strike at goal, leaving Walsh to dangle an outstretched leg and direct the ball over the bar. Villa did find a way back into the game, with two goals in quick succession. First, O'REILLY found space on the edge of the area, following a neat turn, before curling a nice shot into the bottom right corner, then TAYLOR made a late run on the blind side of Harris to meet a low cross and bundle home the equaliser.        

However, Latics made their seniority count when brilliant play down the right allowed Greenhalgh, who had struggled with the defensive part of his duties after being introduced from the bench, zipped a fine low cross into the box and COSTELLOE, who was alert and on the move at the near post swept home the winning goal to earn Latics the points and send the fans home happy. 

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 3-2 Aston Villa U21.

Scorers; Marni-Miller (27), Feeney (40, OG), Costelloe (81); O’Reilly (75), Taylor (78).

Attendance; 2,001

WIGAN (3-4-2-1) – Walsh (G); Chilokoa-Mullin, Burns, Bolland; Barrett, Harris, Power, Marni-Miller; Rimmer, Moseley, Higgins; Subs; Watson (G), Fox (for Burns), Weir (for Power), Costelloe (for Moseley), Greenhalgh (for Barrett), McManaman (for Higgins).

ASTON VILLA (3-4-2-1) – Earley (G); Burgess, Feeney, Fortes; Taylor, Jenner, Jimoh-Akba, Sousa; O’Reilly, Broggio; Wilson; Subs; Houston (G), Boyd, Mulley, Carroll (for Feeney), Routh (for Sousa), McGrath (for Jimoh-Akba).

Referee; Mr Scott Jackson (Lancashire).