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Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the NextGen Final as Chelsea take on Aston Villa at Lake Como.
In the U19 equivalent of the Champions League, two English sides are fighting to be crowned best in Europe.
The Blues beat Arsenal in their semi-final while Villa saw off the much-fancied Sporting Lisbon, but who will emerge on top today?
Send me your thoughts on the action at charlie.skillen@mailonline.co.uk
This page will automatically update every two minutes.
Chelsea 0-2 Aston Villa FT
Chelsea Beeney, Christiensen, Davey (Colkett 75), Pappoe, Wright, Ake, Kiwomya, Loftus-Cheek, (Hunte 70) Feruz, Baker, Boga
Subs Killip, Dabo, Conroy, T Musonda, Swift
Aston Villa Watkins, Webb, Kinsella, Calder, Donacien, Lewis, Barton, Carruthers, Robinson, Burke, Grealish
Subs Bateman, Grant, Toner, Crooks, Lyden, Abdo, Crowley
Goal Burke (pen) (2)
Referee Daniele Minelli
18.56 FULL-TIME CHELSEA 0-2 ASTON VILLA
92 mins ANOTHER PENALTY TO ASTON VILLA! Graham Burke wraps it up for Villa with his second from the spot!
90 mins Two minutes added on... Can Chelsea find an equaliser?
88 mins RED CARD Alex Kiwomya sees a second yellow to put Chelsea down to ten men for a late challenge on Kinsella. Makes his first booking for the dive all the more stupid.
87 mins Chelsea have a corner with Baker delivering - but Watkins comes to claim it again - he's shown himself to be strong at that.
86 mins A beautiful 360 degree spin from Nathan Ake wows the crowd before the Dutchman passes to Kiwomya - who can't do anything with it.
84 mins Colkett tries to cross in after a nice turn but it goes out for a goal-kick. Time running out for Chelsea.
82 mins There was no need for that... Burke is booked after a crazy lunge at Baker - he's lucky to still be on the pitch. Where was the need to do that? Ridiculous.
80 mins Ten minutes left, as Kiwomya waits before crossing in from the right, straight on the ground to Watkins. Chelsea are running out of options - they haven't looked like equalising.
78 mins Aston Villa are pressing Chelsea now, making it hard for them to create anything by playing from the back.
75 mins Chelsea make their second change - Alex Davey comes off for Charlie Colkett. Davey was run ragged by Robinson all game - as he was for the penalty.
72 mins Calder challenges Baker on the edge of the area, Chelsea free-kick, Baker to take... it hits the wall for a corner.
It's tipped away by Watkins, with Villa on the break with Robinson and Burke.
Contest: Villa captain Samir Carruthers is chased by Chelsea's Nathan Ake
71 mins The first of those changes is Connor Hunte replacing Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
70 mins Chelsea manager Dermot Drummy is looking to make some substitutions - his side haven't threatened in this second half, and Villa win a free-kick courtesy of a silly foul on Burke by Davey - the dead ball runs straight to Beeney.
67 mins It's Grealish's turn to twist and turn in the Chelsea defence in the area, shooting from a tight angle and kept out by Beeney for a corner, which comes back to Carruthers outside the area, who unleashes a fantastic shot which is just tipped over.
66 mins Chelsea are starting to pile on the pressure with Feruz making a run, but the Villa defence hold firm.
On the up: Villa's Riccardo Calder holds off Chelsea left-back Kevin Wright
64 mins Watkins rises above the melee to claim the corner, as Adam Shergold lends us his thoughts on the second half:
'It just isn't Lewis Baker's day - again he is found unmarked in a good shooting position but he launches the ball into the Curva behind the goal.
'Up the other end, Callum Robinson has really grown into the game - he's giving Davey a torrid time and Pappoe is frequently having to move across to stem the danger.'
63 mins An email in from Eke Charles as Chelsea have a corner:
'The lads are very talented players, they need to be given more opportunities in order to get the best out of them. Their composure and cohesion is quite entertaining.'
62 mins The ball falls to Baker for a shot outside the area, but the Chelsea captain shoots high, wide and handsome.
The Blues midfielder can hit them from there, and he won't thank the uneven pitch for that bobble.
Speeding away: Joshua Barton (left) of Aston Villa races past Chelsea captain Lewis Baker
61 mins Robinson makes another dangerous run into the area - again confusing the Chelsea defence. This time Beeney can collect.
60 mins A run from centre back Alex Davey plays in Feruz in the area, but Donacien blocks.
59 mins Villa fan Mark Coleman asks:
'Can the Villa hold on? Up the Villa!'
58 mins Burke tries to add a second with a cheeky first-time lob from Beeney's poor kick, but it's got no control.
56 mins Chelsea are just starting to have some possession after going a goal down, attempting to pass and move into Villa's final third.
53 mins Oh dear... we've got another booking , and it's for a terrible dive from Alex Kiwoyma in the area.
He was actually clipped, but kept going and then fell dramatically to the floor - not impressive.
Adam Shergold wasn't impressed either:
'Alex Kiwomya with a penalty area dive so bad even an Italian crowd jeered it!'
52 mins Sportsmail's Adam Shergold on the penalty that gave Villa the lead:
'We have a goal and, contrary to the run of play, it's Villa who have it.
'Callum Robinson was on the run but lacking options in the middle until Davey tripped him.
'Official Daniele Minelli awarded the spot kick and Burke scored.'
50 mins Another great run from Robinson sees the number nine cut the ball back to Carruthers, who skies it over.
In action: Villa goalscorer Graham Burke takes on Chelsea centre back Danny Pappoe
Villa have come out for this second half all guns blazing.
48 mins It was great play from Robinson to earn the spot kick, he made Davey lose his composure.
47 mins GOAL! CHELSEA 0-1 ASTON VILLA Graham Burke sends Beeney the wrong way!
46 mins PENALTY TO ASTON VILLA! Davey cuts down Robinson after a terrific run and twisting and turning from the Villa forward.
18.08 Aston Villa kick off the second half...
18.04 David has sent an email in praising the quality on show:
'What a performance we've had from the lads and hoping to see a better performance from both sides, the future is bright with all the talent they posses.'
Thanks, David. I agree - and it's great we've got two English sides in the final. Everyone else, join the debate by emailing the address above.
18.02 The second-half should get underway fairly soon.
Neither team has really shown what we know they can - and most chances have come from wide areas.
Alex Kiwoyma is making it happen for Chelsea down the right hand side, presenting his Blues team-mates with a number of opportunities, while direct runs from Samir Carruthers and Riccardo Calder have created chances for Aston Villa.
Young guns: Aston Villa's Graham Burke holds off Chelsea midfielder Nathan Ake
17.58 It's been a very entertaining first half. You'd have to say Chelsea have had the better of the play, but Villa are threatening too.
It should be 1-1. Only a touch from Villa keeper Bradley Watkins stopped Nathan Ake from scoring for Chelsea on his return to the youth team, but before that Callum Robinson should have given Aston Villa the lead with a tap-in.
45 mins HALF-TIME CHELSEA 0-0 ASTON VILLA
44 mins Sportsmail's Adam Shergold's thoughts on that golden chance for Chelsea:
'The best chance of the half so far as Riccardo Calder clears Nathan Ake's goal bound shot off the line. Again good work from Kiwomya out on the right - he's been Chelsea's main source of impetus in this first half.'
41 mins SO CLOSE! Nathan Ake can't believe he hasn't scored - a great run from Kiwomya brings the ball from the right wing into the centre and he plays it in for the Dutchman in the area.
Watkins comes rushing out and gets just enough on Ake's close-range shot to slow it down and allow for a goal-line clearance by Calder.
39 mins We've got our first booking - a poor challenge from Villa captain Carruthers chops Nathan Ake down.
38 mins We've got an email in from Oluwawo Abiodun:
'Just looking to see a better youth team and new players to come out. IMO Chelsea have some of the best youth talents in their ranks. I want to see a good game from these lads.'
Do you agree? Email the address at the top of the page to join the debate.
37 mins Kiwoyma goes close again, another good run ending with a chance in the Villa area - and he wins a corner.
35 mins Sportsmail's Adam Shergold:
'Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Alex Kiwomya clearly have a good understanding - the former is regularly pinging out cross-field balls to the latter on the right wing.
'Kiwomya got in behind there and pulled back to the unmarked Baker, who fired wide of the mark.'
32 mins Baker has a poor effort sail just wide from inside the area after good work from Kiwomya to set him up.
31 mins SO CLOSE! Riccardo Calder crosses in for Robinson with the goal at his mercy, but the striker can't get the ball from under his feet and Beeney claims it.
it was started by a poor pass from Danny Pappoe and Calder raced past the defence to present a golden opportunity for Robinson - Villa should be 1-0 up.
30 mins Callum Robinson breaks down the right past Christiensen and tries a cheeky lob from a tight angle - it's just over the bar.
28 mins Davey and Pappe have a miscommunication, with Robinson piling on pressure for Villa, but Beeney rushes from goal to clear.
27 mins Our man Adam Shergold on a special talent:
'It's clear what a good player Lewis Baker is going to become - he's tirelessly running from box to box, orchestrating attacks and mopping up in defence.
'Witness that pin point 40yd through ball to Kiwomya, who shot wide.'
24 mins Webb pulls down Baker on the left wing, and Chelsea have a dangerous free-kick, and the captain's delivery ends in a corner.
Kiwomya has a shot from outside the area, but Ruben Loftus-Cheek, rushing to the head the rebound, is offside.
23 mins Another Chelsea break sees Boga released down the right and cross into the box - Watkins makes a crucial touch to palm it out of the path of Feruz.
22 mins Carruthers plays a free-kick into the box, and its headed behind for a corner by Ake.
20 mins The game has slowed down after an end-to-end start, as Janoi Donacien takes a free-kick inside Villa's half, but Chelsea break... very close - Kiwoyma pulls it wide. He should have done better, but his pace means he was clear from Villa's defence with ease.
16 mins Chelsea have a free-kick in a dangerous area, but Baker's ball has too much on it, it clears everyone and goes out for a goal kick.
15 mins Graham Burke makes a run down the right wing and sends in a perfect cross into the area, but Robinson can't get there - Villa win a corner, but it's cleared.
13 mins Kiwoyma runs at Villa's defence and attempts to flick a pass into the area for Feruz, but it's just too long for the striker to keep it in.
10 mins It's been pretty even so far - Villa started off the better side but Chelsea are just starting to find their rhythm.
Jack Grealish and Samir Carruthers look dangerous in the Villa attack, while Islam Feruz has had two decent attempts for Chelsea already.
8 mins Our man in Italy Adam Shergold:
'Unlike the other matches in the finals so far, it's been a lively and exciting opening with chances at both ends.
'Chelsea keeper Beeney has a habit of looking for Nathan Ake with every goal kick but the Dutchman looks a little rusty and has twice surrendered possession.'
7 mins Islam Feruz gets another shot away, played in inside the area after a fantastic run and pass from Jeremie Boga.
6 mins Robinson cuts in from the left and sends a tame shot straight at the keeper, before Chelsea get it up the other end and Feruz' shot wins a corner from Lewis, but it's easily cleared.
3 mins Samir Carruthers goes on a great run through the Chelsea defence, and wins a corner from Danny Pappoe, but it ends straight up in Mitchell Beeney's hands.
2 mins Jack Grealish was involved in some nice link-up play for Villa, but can't get a cross in from the left hand side.
44 secs Chelsea break straight away, a great run from Alex Kiwoyma only just stopped by Bradley Watkins in the Villa go - we've had a great, open start.
17.07 And Chelsea kick-off!
17.06 We're about to get underway...Villa are doing a huddle in their half before kick-off.
16.59 Kick-off should be within the next five minutes... the teams are currently walking out onto the bobbly pitch...
16.53 Sportsmail's Adam Shergold reveals how a mischievous member of the Chelsea camp had the NextGen staff in a panic this morning:
'Some of the NextGen organisers were April fooled this morning when a member of the Chelsea staff called them pretending to be Roman Abramovich's PA.
'Mr Abramovich would need the VIP treatment, they said, as he swung by Como in his private yacht to watch the next generation in action. It's his kind of place, so no reason to doubt the authenticity of the call.
'It caused all kind of panic, until everyone realised what day it was...'
16.50 We're about ten minutes away from kick-off, and here's some thoughts from Chelsea's assistant manager, former Blues full-back Andy Myers - who revealed how the young stars took time off between the hectic semi-final clash with Arsenal and today:
'The day after the Arsenal game we went to a spa by the shore of Lake Como because it was great for the lads to recover.
'There was a swimming pool, a jacuzzi and a steam room and it was just right for light recovery work because with a tough game having gone into extra time, it took a lot out of the lads.
'On Sunday morning we trained in preparation for the game against Aston Villa. It wasn't a full-on session, it was medium intensity, making sure we got a few things right out there based on what we think Villa are going to do in the game.
'I think the boys prepare themselves well mentally. It is a big occasion and they may change mentally but we won't change our preparation. We will do what we need to do and it is down to the players when they cross the white line.
'They are in charge. We give them the game plan and the ideas but it is all down to the players in the end.'
Warm-up: Aston Villa's young stars trained in the sunshine ahead of today's NextGen final showdown
16.45 Aston Villa defender Janoi Donacien:
'It will be a big occasion but we have come here to play the game and we have come to win.
'We've just got to stay calm and think about doing the right stuff and stay together as a team.
'We've faced them a few times but it is a different occasion.
'It is the biggest game I've played in so far but we've got to come away with the win at the end of the day.'
16.40 First we'll hear from Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek:
'I didn't play many games last season due to injury so to come back this season and be part of the Youth Cup squad and the NextGen and with a chance of winning both, that is really exciting for me and I am happy that we are doing well as a team.
'We have a really good team spirit because a lot of us have been here a long time and know each other well. It is like a family and it shows on the pitch because when we lose we don't argue, we just get on with it, and that is why we come back in a lot in matches.'
Walkabout: The Chelsea side relaxed ahead of the final clash with Aston Villa by taking a stroll this morning
16.36 Sportsmail's Adam Shergold is watching the action live from Lake Como:
'The two sides are out on the pitch at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia for their pre-match warm-ups.
'It's a dry and overcast day here in Como but unfortunately the pitch doesn't look in the best condition. There are more patches of dry earth than the other day but hopefully there won't be any injuries.
'On that note, Chelsea make one chance from the side that beat Arsenal 4-3 in extra time on Friday. In comes dreadlocked Dutchman Nathan Ake for the injured Adam Nditi. Otherwise they're unchanged.
'Villa also make one change, with a Riccardo Calder, a sub in their 3-1 win over Sporting Lisbon in the semi-finals, starting in place of Jordan Lyden at the back.
'A fair sized crowd in already with half an hour until kickoff. The NextGen organisers made a big effort yesterday to drum up local interest by distributing flyers and posters.'
Line-ups: The teamsheet for the NextGen final between Chelsea and Aston Villa, kicking off at 5pm
16.30 Hello, and welcome to Sportsmail's coverage of the all-English NextGen final between Chelsea and Aston Villa in the beautiful surroundings of Lake Como.
The teams are in (they're on the right in the green box) and kick-off should be in about half an hour.
We'll have live updates from our man in Italy Adam Shergold, and to take us up to kick-off we'll have words from both teams, so stay tuned...
Who will emerge on top? Islam Feruz or Jack Grealish?
How can young players develop on pitches like that.
- just a thought , Hertfordshire, 01/4/2013 18:18
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