Rovers' under 18s lost their first home game of the new campaign after going down 2-1 to Aston Villa.

It was a match in which Gary Bowyer's side created plenty of chances, but visitors Villa took theirs.

Rovers started brightly with striker Osayamen Osawe seeing a shot well saved early on, but from their first attack Aston Villa took a 20th minute lead.

It was a catalogue of errors from the Rovers defenders as first James Knowles mis-tackled, then Ryan Edwards failed to clear leaving the Villa forward the simple task of giving them the lead.

Rovers pressed for an equaliser, Micah Evans was denied, then following good work Filip Pivkovski saw his effort blocked when well placed.

The half ended with Rovers on top but nothing to show for it, Andy Parry shooting wide, whilst Osawe saw his effort tipped around the post.

Twenty minutes after the restart and Aston Villa doubled their lead. A long-range effort took a mean deflection off Anthony O'Connor leaving a deceived Matthew Urwin in the Rovers goal unable to stop the shot.

Despite the two-goal disadvantage Rovers continued to look for a way back into the game. Evans flicked an Osawe pass around the post, whilst substitute Jamie Maclaren saw a shot saved and Jadan Hall saw the follow-up blocked.

With five minutes remaining Rovers finally got the goal their play deserved. James Knowles (pictured) firing in a 20-yard free-kick into the bottom left corner.

On 90 minutes a chance fell to Micah Evans when well placed, but he fired over the bar to sum up Rovers' day.

After the match under 18s coach Gary Bowyer said: "We've lost a game through two defensive errors and failing to take our chances which is disappointing.

"We were pleased with their effort and determination in the second half."

ROVERS: Urwin, Knowles, Wylie, Parry, Edwards, A. O'Connor, Evans, Vastić (sub Hands 76 mins), Hitchcock (sub Maclaren 55 mins), Osawe, Pivkovski (sub Hall 55 mins).

Subs not used: Henley, Ajagbe.