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Neil Critchley saluted the impact of two-goal hero Harry Wilson after Liverpool FC kept their hopes of FA Youth Cup glory alive with a 3-1 win over Aston Villa.

The 16-year-old winger, who is the youngest Wales international in history, came off the bench after the break and inspired the Reds to victory at St Helens' Langtree Park.

The reward for Critchley's side is a trip to either Watford or Norwich City in the fifth round next month.

“Harry was the match-winner for us in the end. He made the difference,” coach Critchley said.

“That's what he's got in the locker. He is a goal scorer.

“He was a bit unlucky not to start but he responded in great fashion when he came on. He scored two and could have one or two more.

“I thought over the 90 minutes we were deserved winners, especially with the second half performance.

“We started the game quite brightly and deservedly took the lead. Then we allowed them back into the game through our sloppiness. We got a bit casual.

“I was a bit annoyed at half-time but to be fair to the boys they showed a real positive response in the second half.”

Liverpool were without Jordon Ibe, Jerome Sinclair and Pedro Chirivella as the youngsters looked to impress a home crowd which included Brendan Rodgers, Kenny Dalglish, Robbie Fowler and Rob Jones.

They started brightly with Daniel Trickett-Smith and Ryan Kent both forcing saves from Charlie Bannister early on.

Retaining possession wasn't easy in torrential rain on such a heavy pitch but Critchley's side continued to show the greater attacking threat.

Trickett-Smith, flourishing in a role behind frontman Sergi Canos, picked out Kent with a sweeping pass to the left. Kent teed up Sheyi Ojo but the former MK Dons teenager blazed high and wide.

Liverpool's pressure was rewarded with the breakthrough in the 19 minute.

Trickett-Smith took a touch to steady himself 20 yards out and dispatched a dipping half volley beyond Bannister and into the far corner.

The Reds' determination to pass it out from the back got them into trouble at times on such a heavy surface.

One defensive error was pounced on by Harry McKirdy but keeper Ryan Crump was out quickly to save at his feet.

Some more hesitation in Liverpool's backline enabled Villa to equalise just before the half hour mark.

Centre-back Jordan Williams failed to deal with Daniel O'Brien's ball across the face of goal and McKirdy stole in to convert from close range.

Villa finished the first half in the ascendancy with Crump called into action again to thwart McKirdy.

Critchley made a change at the interval with Wilson replacing Ojo. The substitution transformed the game but not before Liverpool enjoyed a major let off.

O'Brien's curling cross to the back post was put away by McKirdy but the Reds were saved by the assistant, who ruled the ball had gone out of play before reaching the striker.

The lively Wilson sent a 25-yard free-kick whistling just over and Trickett-Smith also went close before Liverpool restored their lead in the 67 minute.

Kevin Toner's header was hacked off the line by Jordan Rossiter and the Reds counter-attacked with menace.

Wilson charged forward, cut inside off the right flank and coolly planted a left footer beyond Bannister.

Liverpool remained firmly in control and 12 minutes from time they killed off the tie.

The impressive Kent did brilliantly down the left and showed great vision to deliver a pass into the path of Wilson.

The Wales international finished in style and only a sprawling save from Bannister denied him his hat-trick in stoppage time. Kent could also be proud of his contribution as a creative force.

“Ryan is an exciting attacking player who causes problems,” added Critchley.

“He made some fantastic runs. He needs to try to add maybe one or two more goals to his game but I think that will come as he gets older.

“As a team I still think we are capable of doing better. If we want to progress further in this competition then we're going to have to produce better.”

Liverpool: Crump, Randall, Maguire, Williams, Jones, Rossiter, Ojo (Wilson 46), Brannagan, Canos (Phillips 68), Trickett-Smith, Kent.

Not used: Brewitt, Jackson, Hart.

Aston Villa: Bannister, Zazrivec (Hepburn-Murphy 79), Green (Suliman 68), Strain, Lyons-Foster, Toner, O'Brien, McKirdy (Strain 62), Sellars, Grealish, Calder.

Not used: Lovett, Taylor.