Leo Cardoso’s stoppage-time winner helps Chelsea beat Aston Villa in Premier League 2

Midfielder Leo Cardoso scored in stoppage time to help Chelsea U21s beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the Premier League 2 at Bodymoor Heath on Friday evening.

Chelsea dominated possession early on, but Villa who created the game’s first chance when Rodrigo Fortes delivered a dangerous cross into the area. Trai-Varn Mulley’s header flew over the bar.

The Blues responded quickly by creating a goalscoring opportunity at the other end, as Ryan Kavuma-McQueen surged forward with pace before unleashing a powerful strike which drifted over the crossbar.

They broke the deadlock in the 15th minute when Landon Emenalo charged down the wing and cut the ball back to Dujuan Richards.

He unleashed a fierce shot that flew past goalkeeper Ronnie Hollingshead and into the net.

Shortly after, they nearly doubled their lead with Richards sending a precise cross to Kavuma-McQueen, but his header sailed narrowly wide.

Richards almost scored his second of the game from a counter-attack only for Charlie Pavey to produce a goal-line clearance to prevent him from scoring.

Villa could not test goalkeeper Ted Curd before the end of the first half, ensuring Chelsea headed into the break in complete control of the game.

However, two minutes before the hour mark, Villa restored parity through Mulley, who put the ball beyond the reach of Curd, after receiving a pass from Charlie Pavey.

Chelsea immediately looked to respond with substitute Ato Ampah and midfielder Reggie Walsh, coming close to restoring their lead.

Deep into stoppage time, Chelsea were awarded a penalty when Harrison Murray-Campbell was fouled in the area, and Shim Mheuka stepped up to convert, but Hollingshead saved it.

Cardoso scored the winning goal in the sixth minute of added time with a brilliant strike from outside the area to help Filipe Coelho’s side continue their perfect start to the season.