Away | 22 September 2026
It was a return to league action midweek as Villa travelled to face Berkhamsted.
Villa were without Bradon Barzey, who was away on international duty, while Nikolay Zlatevs' loan spell had come to an end. This meant a couple of changes to the side that had been victorious in the FA Cup at the weekend, with Haydon Vaughan and Toure Williams coming into the starting line-up.
The opening 10 minutes were played largely in midfield as both teams looked to work each other out. However, it was Villa who made the breakthrough in the 12th minute, thanks to Josh Casey.
A corner swung in by Vaughan was cleared, but only as far as Lucas Defise, who played the ball back out to Vaughan on the right. His second delivery found Casey, who rose above the Berkhamsted defenders to head the ball into the top corner.
The goal really sparked Villa into life, and a second was added just four minutes later, again by Casey. Another corner delivered by Vaughan was initially headed away before the ball was played back into the box. Ethan Light headed it down into Casey's path, allowing him to fire home from 10 yards.
Villa continued to control the game but were unable to find a third, heading into half-time with a two-goal advantage.
The second half saw the hosts really turn up the pressure, and Villa had to defend resolutely to protect their lead. The visitors had a couple of rare opportunities after the break, with McGregor, Defise and Williams all having chances, but their efforts finished wide of the goal.
As the half wore on, The Comrades continued to push forward, and their persistence paid off in the 86th minute as they pulled a goal back.
A long ball into the box from Propser caused problems for the Villa defence. Tyla Dickinson advanced to try to punch clear but collided with the onrushing Berkhamsted striker. The ball struck the post before falling to Ryan Blake, who fired home from just a couple of yards out.
This set up a nail-biting finish as the hosts looked to snatch a point. However, Villa stood firm. A penalty appeal from the home side was waved away by the referee, with substitute Michael Mcsorley was booked for diving.
It was a true game of two halves, with Villa doing just enough to ensure all three points returned to Rectory Meadow.
Following the match, Villa boss Simon said:
“We played well in the first half and took our chances, Casey with two strikers' finishes. In the second half, they really put it on us, and they (Berkhamsted) were really brave.”
He added:
“Towards the end, we were really hanging on, but credit to us, we defended ball after ball. We were brave, putting bodies on the line. In the first half, we showed class, and in the second half, we showed grit.”
Villa now turn their attention back to cup action in the FA Trophy on Saturday, as Bishop’s Stortford visit Rectory Meadow.
