Villa youth team need kid gloves

Harry Forrester scored both Villa's goals in their semi-final second leg tie

Aston Villa youth team coach Tony McAndrew says his squad will need to be handled sensitively following their FA Youth Cup semi-final defeat.

Villa's youngsters were beaten 3-2 in Wednesday night's home second leg by Chelsea to go out 4-3 on aggregate.

"They've lost and they're gutted but now we've got to work at picking them up," McAndrew told BBC WM.

"This is where we need to look after them and get them going for our next game a week on Saturday."

Villa failed in their bid to reach their third final in the last seven years but McAndrew was still proud of his players' efforts in front of a bumper crowd of more than 10,000 at Villa Park.

"It was a fantastic crowd," he said. "It was great to see the people come and support the kids.

"I hope they can see that we're trying to do things in the right way at the Academy and that we've got some decent young players coming through."

One player to catch the eye was 17-year-old Harry Forrester, who scored both Villa's goals in the second leg.

The England youth international, who signed from Watford, will end up costing Villa close to a million pounds.

"These guys who can put the ball in the net always catch the eye. When people can perform and produce finishes like he did, that's what people want to see," added McAndrew.