Newcastle United U18s player ratings: How Elliot Anderson and others rated as Magpies suffer heavy defeat to Aston Villa

A hat-trick from Carney Chukwuemeka and goals from Paul Appiah, Brad Young and Kahrel Reddin stopped the young Magpies from advancing into their first semi-final in the competition since 2010.

Seven of Villa’s youngsters featured in the club’s FA Cup third round tie with Liverpool in January as they outclassed and outplayed Neil Winskill’s bairns.

It was an evening of many lessons for Newcastle’s next batch of talent – and here’s how our writer Jordan Cronin rated them individually:

Max Thompson - 6

A hearted performance by the young goalkeeper despite conceding six. Pulled off some standout saves, particularly in the first half to deny Chukwuemeka and Louie Barry.

Joe Oliver - 5

The right-wing back loves to get forward but was often pegged back by the Villa attack. Fed a decent ball into Anderson in the first-half but that was about it, sadly.

Harry Barclay - 4

Barclay, the central man in the back three, couldn’t live with the Villa attack as he often wrestled with Barry.

Josh Nicholson - 4

Produced a few brave blocks to prevent Villa from testing his goalkeeper but unfortunately, Villa ran riot.

Nathan Carlyon - 4

The third member of the back three. Perhaps a little out of position given he has featured in central midfield at times this season.

Josh Scott - 5

Scored the only goal of the night for the Magpies. The left-back found a great position inside the box to cooly slot home Anderson’s pass.

Jamie Miley – 5

The midfield battle was lost. Was well marshalled by Hayden Lindley, which allowed Arjan Raikhy and Chukwuemeka to advance forward.

Reagan Thomson – 4

Viewed as a big talent in the academy after his move from Queens Park last summer but never got close to Villa. Was substituted after 60 minutes.

Lucas de Bolle – 5

Had a great opportunity to make it 3-2 just after the break but saw his shot blocked. Very rarely got in behind the Villa defence.

Elliot Anderson – 6

Was at the heart of the Magpies’ best opportunities. Struck the side netting, saw an effort deflected before assisting Scott’s goal. Second-half – Anderson quietly carried on but looked to be limping.

Dylan Stephenson – 5

His four goals in the competition so far put him top of the goalscoring charts but Stephenson never got a sniff at Filip Marcchall’s goal.

Kyle Crossley (on for Thomson, 60) – 5

Played the final half-hour after playing for the under-23s against Crystal Palace on Monday. Oversaw a decent chance but got his first-time lob horribly wrong.

James Huntley (on for Stephenson, 72) – 4

Featured in the final half-hour but failed to make an impact as Villa controlled possession.

Josh Gilchrist – N/A (on for de Bolle, 88)

Wasn’t on the pitch long enough.

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