Reserve coach Kevin MacDonald tonight paid tribute to his Barclays Premier Reserve League (south) champions and reflected: "The players have earned this."

Rivals Reading drew 1-1 at Portsmouth tonight meaning Villa cannot now be caught at the top of the table.

A delighted MacDonald  told www.avfc.co.uk: "I'm really pleased for the young lads - they've won the Academy league already this season and now they've got the reserve title.

"But I also have to pay tribute to the senior players who've really played their part for us this season.

"The likes of Patrik Berger, Marlon Harewood, Stuart Taylor, Moustapha Salifou and more recently Wayne Routledge have been a credit to the football club.

"They're in there to help the youngsters develop the right habits as they try to develop as players and they've done a great job all season.

"When we won the northern title a few years ago we had the likes of Dion Dublin, Mark Delaney and Mark Kinsella who did a similar thing and it really does make a difference."

MacDonald continued: "Things are going well at Villa. The first-team are pushing for Europe and we all hope they can continue the recent great run.

"The kids have already topped their table and they reached the FA Youth Cup semi-finals. So I'm just pleased we've played our part.

"The manager and the owner take a real interest in football at every single level and that's a big part of why things are moving in the right direction at Villa."

MacDonald's men now face a play-off trip to northern champions Liverpool on May 7.