8 March 2008
VIDEO: Semi-Final - Chelsea 1-1 Aston Villa

Watch the highlights from the Semi-Final first leg at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea take on Villa.

Aston Villa v Chelsea
The FA Youth Cup Sponsored by E.ON
Semi-Final, Second Leg
7pm, Wednesday 19 March 2008 
Villa Park, Aston Villa FC
Click here for Semi-Final ties

Aston Villa starlet Ciaran Clark knows that him and his team-mates are just 90 minutes away from sealing their spot in The FA Youth Cup Final on Wednesday evening, when they take on Chelsea in the second leg of their Semi-Final at Villa Park.

After sharing a 1-1 draw with the Blues at Stamford Bridge in the first game, Villa have home advantage now and will be hoping to make the most of that to secure a place in the Final and supplement their current status as leaders of the FA Premier Academy League.

As skipper for both club and country, England U19 defender Clark admits he has been pleased with the way things have gone for him this season so far and is hoping that it can only get better.

“I’m still in my second year as a full time player and with the Youth Cup run that we’ve had, it’s been a busy season,” said Clark.

“I’ve been pleased with things at Villa though, the lads have been playing really well, for the youth team and the reserve team.

“The youth team are top of the league and so are the reserves, so it has been a good season so far.

“Hopefully, it will all go well on Wednesday and we can do the job against Chelsea and push on to the Final.”

One added bonus for the Villa players this year has been the continued attendance of the club’s manager Martin O’Neill at each of their games in the competition.

O’Neill has been home and away to every one of their FA Youth Cup ties and Clark admits that it is a good incentive for everyone in the youth team to be at their best in front of the man who makes the decisions at the West Midlands club.

“It’s been great to see the Manager at the games too,” admitted Clark.

“He’s been down in the dressing room and giving us encouragement, so that’s been massive for us.

“When you have the first team manager coming down and supporting you, it’s all a good experience and it all helps my performance as well, especially as all the other lads have been doing so well.”