Derby County’s Under-21s were beaten 3-1 by Aston Villa in Premier League 2 on Friday night.

A blistering start by the home side at Bodymoor Heath Training Ground had them three goals to the good courtesy of Benjamin Tomaso Broggio, Kobei Moore and Rico Richards before Dajaune Brown pulled a goal back just after the half hour mark.

The hosts had Finley Munroe sent off in the second half after picking up two bookings, but they held on to claim the three points.

Recent additions Henry Jeffcott and Alex Gibson-Hammond were named in the starting line-up, while Dan Cox and Carlos Richards also started ahead of heading off on international duty with Wales Under-19s and Gibraltar Under-21s respectively.

Broggio fired Villa ahead after just three minutes before Moore went on to double their lead after six minutes.

Richards made it 3-0 after 20 minutes before Derby found their feet and pulled a goal back through Brown’s second goal of the season at Under-21 level.

Villa had Munroe sent off for two bookable offences just before the hour but the Rams were unable to make their numerical advantage count in the final half an hour.

The Under-21s return to action in the Central League Cup on Tuesday 12th September when they host Lincoln City, while their next Premier League 2 outing will see them travel to Sunderland on Monday 25th September.

Derby County Under-21s: Evans (GK), Moore (Oseni 71), Hawkins, Johnson, Jeffcott, Cox (Lindsay 71), Richards (Davidson 46), Fapetu, Brown, Weston (Bates 46), Gibson-Hammond.

Substitutes Not Used: Ridd (GK).