WESTLEY'S RESERVE GAME REACTION

[Fernando]

Academy manager Terry Westley had mixed feelings after this evening's topsy-turvy second string derby at St. Andrew's ended in stalemate.

It was the proverbial game of two halves as Blues produced a storming first half display to go two goals up courtesy of a Robin Shroot brace only to throw it away with a leg-weary performance after the break which allowed Villa to score three times.

But the Bonfire Night clash still ended with a bang as Kevin Phillips pinched a point late on with a cracking curling shot to leave a final score of 3-3.

"Both teams had a right go at it, a six-goal thriller, a sending off and plenty of action with both keepers making good saves," said Westley.

"We had senior players out there and we set about it very well and got a great two-goal lead.

"We had Mutchy and Carsley in the middle of the park and they got on the ball and passed it around well and it led to a very exciting game.

"The pitch surface was slick and you could move the ball about and they (Villa) certainly did it in the second half with their younger players looking very bright.

"To be fair we did flag a little bit with a few players struggling after playing their first games having been out for some time, the likes of Gregory Vignal, Franck Queudrue and Giovanny Espinoza."

Blues raced into a first half lead with Shroot on the mark with a clinical brace.

Westley commented: "To be fair to him he was very calm and didn't panic and put two good finishes in.

"If you can get him on the ball facing up in front of goal, he is a good finisher off his left or right side.

"He has trained very well since he has come back from Burton. He has been in with our group of Academy and young professionals and he has gone about his work in an impressive manner."

Westley was understandably disappointed that his players couldn't continue with the same level of performance in the second half.

But he was pleased with the character shown in staging a late fightback to grab a draw.

He added: "I knew at half-time that the game was far from dead and that they (Villa) weren't going to sit back. The next goal was going to be vital.

"They got around the side of us and got in a couple of great crosses, albeit it for the second goal the ball was about a yard off the pitch - I've just seen it on the TV replay.

"But overall, having gone 3-2 down, I was very pleased that we came back into it.

"It was a terrific finish from Kevin Phillips and summed up what his whole career has been about."
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