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Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha.(Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Rio Ngumoha scored his first goals for Liverpool Under-21s as the young Reds drew with Aston Villa on Friday night to secure their place in the Premier League 2 Round of 16 play-offs.

Barry Lewtas’ side came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw and secure the final qualification spot.

Liverpool, who named a strong side including Tyler Morton, James McConnell and Trey Nyoni at Villa’s training ground, now face a daunting trip to Man City in the play-offs after the Cityzens were crowned regular season champions.

Facing off against last-placed Villa, the Reds started well and were unfortunate not to take the lead when Nyoni was played in by McConnell and saw a shot seemed destined for the top corner deflected away.

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The midfielder was involved again soon after as he played in Ranel Young, but the forward’s curling effort was kept out by Oliwier Zych after he cut inside.

At the other end, Kornel Misciur was kept busy as he produced a fine double save to deny Jamal Jimoh-Aloba, before keeping out Kane Taylor's follow-up.

He then saved well to keep out a powerful strike from Thierry Katsukunya.

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Young was denied again by Zych at the near post, but Ngumoha fired Liverpool ahead with his first Under-21s league goal of the season.

Played in down the left by Young, the teenager cut inside before beating Zych with a well-placed curled strike as the Reds went in ahead at the break.

Villa fought back after the interval and were level within 10 minutes of the restart as Charlie Pavey converted from close-range following a George Hemming’s shot.

Nyoni almost restored Liverpool’s lead immediately when he was denied from close-range by Zych, with Villa then completing their comeback on the hour-mark as Mason Cotcher scored from inside the box.

The Reds fought back with substitute Keyrol Figueroa making an instant impact as he set up Ngumoha to equalise with his second of the club.

Sending the winger free with a smart backheel, Ngumoha ran through on goal before finishing into the bottom corner to level the scores.

Liverpool pushed for a winner as Morton was denied by Zych after bursting into the box, while he also fired over late on.

Meanwhile, a block denied Ngumoha a possible hat-trick after he linked up well with fellow winger Trent Kone-Doherty.

Liverpool will now travel to Man City next weekend for their Premier League 2 Round of 16 play-off tie.

A date and time for the fixture is still to be confirmed, though the match is set to take place on the weekend of 26 April.

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The young Reds beat Man City in their only previous meeting this season, winning 3-1 at Kirkby on the opening day of the campaign thanks to goals from Dominic Corness, Tom Hill and James Norris.

Liverpool team: Misciur, Davidson (Mabaya, 70), Pinnington, Nallo, Pilling, Morton, Kone-Doherty, McConnell (Balagizi, 70), Young (Figueroa, 75), Nyoni, Ngumoha.

Unused subs: R.