Goals from Kriztian Nemeth, Jordy Brouwer and Lucas Leiva gave Liverpool, who had already been crowned Northern champions sealed the victory over Southern winners Villa.

Among the crowd of 7,500 were the two clubs' first team managers Rafa Benitez and Martin O'Neill.

Ablett felt that the presence of Benitez acted as a great motivation for his young side: "As we came off the pitch he was there with all the members of the first team staff.

"He was shaking hands and congratulating everyone and that's fantastic, it was great for the young boys to come off and see the manager there.

"The boys will have some great memories to treasure going out and showing that trophy in front of the Kop."

Ablett is keen for his young players to taste first team action more regularly next season.

However he is under no illusions about the task his young stars face in making the first-team breakthrough.

"We all know how difficult it is, let alone to get into the team but to get into the pool of 20 to 22 that Rafa has.

"It's difficult but we feel that two or three of them could actually in the next six to 12 months stake a claim to get in."