With the tie evenly balanced at 1-1 after an exhilarating first leg at Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea youth team face Manchester City at Eastlands tonight to decide where the FA Youth Cup will end up. Here we reacquaint you with the squad ahead of the game.

Paul Clement's side were unfortunate not to take an advantage to the north-west after an impressive display in the first game, but there is still plenty of optimism throughout the team.

Rhys Taylor
In goal for every round of the Youth Cup run, Rhys made a string of important saves in the first leg. Also the reserve team's first choice., the 18-year-old has one cap for Wales Under 21s. He has been on the bench for the first team.

Youth Cup highlight: 'Villa away in the semi-final, and the atmosphere in the dressing room after the game.'

Funny moments along the way: 'Jacob Mellis and Adam Phillip's dancing, and Gael Kakuta's goal celebration, he just runs off like a madman!'

Most admired professional: 'Peter Schmeichel, I idolised him as a kid. All round he is the best 'keeper ever.'

Profession if not in football: 'Fashion industry!' [Are you sure? - Ed]


Nana Ofori-Twumasi
The 17-year-old captain was suspended for the opening round at Stevenage but has been right-back ever since. Ghanaian-born, he moved to London aged 10 and has played for England Under 18s.

Youth Cup highlight: 'The second leg away at Villa, and the way we came back from 1-0 down in the first leg to win on aggregate.'

Funny moments along the way: 'Michael Woods after scoring in the Shrewsbury game reacting to one of their fans with a hand to his ear, and our physio Stuart Vaughan singing after the game at Villa Park?very tuneful!'

Most admired professional: 'Michael Essien. He can play in so many positions, and always gives his best. A Ghanaian international too, and I met him properly on the Right to Play trip to Ghana last summer, we have been friends ever since.'

Profession if not in football: 'Studying at college, and then to go into the sports industry.'


Jeffrey Bruma
Though still a schoolboy, 16-year-old Jeffrey has played centre-back in every round, is the top appearance maker in the youth league and made his first reserve start last month at Arsenal. He has also helped the Dutch Under 17 side to the European Championship finals.

Youth Cup highlight: 'In the first leg against Aston Villa, I played my best game. The second leg was also good, and more of a team performance. Playing against Stevenage too, it was my first FA Youth Cup game.'

Funny moments along the way: 'Patrick Van Aanholt and Jacob Mellis dancing after a goal against Shrewsbury. It's always fun before the games too as we play PlayStation and make jokes about the losers.'

Most admired professional: 'Ricardo Carvalho or John Terry. Carvalho steps in well, and Terry has a strong head, they are a very good pairing. My favourite player though is Steven Gerrard.'

Profession if not in football: 'I would manage a restaurant, it's the family business.'


Patrick Van Aanholt
Another ever-present in the Cup campaign and another reserve team regular, 18-year-old Patrick can play left-back or centre-back. In his first year at Chelsea, he found the net in round four and has received call-ups to the Dutch Under 18 squad.

Youth Cup highlight: 'Villa in the second leg, we got to the final with a great team performance.'

Funny moments along the way: 'That dance against Shrewsbury with me, Jacob Mellis, Jeffrey and Sergio Tejera.'

Most admired professional: 'As a centre-back I like the way Alex defends, and as a full-back, I like how Eric Abidal and Ashley Cole both get forward.'

Profession if not in football: 'Working in the bank back in Holland!'


Ben Gordon
A left-back starter in all but one of the rounds, Ben's pace allows him to get forward well and he is a member of the England Under 17 squad. Turned 17 last month, he is in his first year at Chelsea having signed from Leeds.

Youth Cup highlight: 'The whole run has been good, but to pick one it would be the second leg at Villa Park.'

Funny moments along the way: 'All of us running to the corner flag after Adam Phillip's goal against Stevenage, and the funny celebrations after the Shrewsbury goals.'

Most admired professional: 'Ashley Cole, he is the same position as me, and likes to get forward and join the attack. I see resemblance in his play and that of my own.'

Profession if not in football: 'I'd be at college studying something in sport.'


Lee Sawyer
Despite establishing himself as a reserve regular last season and playing for England Under 19s, the FA Youth Cup has been one to forget for 18 year-old Lee. A dislocated shoulder in the opening tie at Stevenage caused a lengthy absence and then after two further appearances, a red card in the semi-final rules him out of both legs of the final.

Youth Cup highlight: 'Villa away, all the goals meant something to us as a team.'

Funny moments along the way: 'Adam Phillip and Frank Nouble - their 'phone call' celebration at Stevenage, and when Adam ran to the dugout to acknowledge Frank in the semi-final first leg.'

Most admired professional: 'David Beckham, because I rate him as both a player and a person.'

Profession if not in football: 'I haven't got a clue!'


Michael Woods
A constant presence in midfield during the run to the final, he sent in the delightful corner to set up Gaël Kakuta's goal in the first leg. Michael will be known to many fans having played for the first team in the FA Cup in January 2007, making him the fourth youngest player in our history. A former England Under 17 who turns 18 on Sunday, he found the net from distance against Shrewsbury in round four.

Youth Cup highlight: 'Being in the final, and the celebrations after the Aston Villa game.'

Funny moments along the way: 'There is always good banter on the bus and in the hotels on the away trips in the Cup.'

Most admired professional: 'Lamps - he is the same position as me and nobody else does what he does from that position.'

Profession if not in football: 'I'd be in the sports industry in some way.'


Sergio Tejera
Scorer of the vital equaliser in the semi-final at Villa Park, Spanish Under 18 international Sergio can anchor the midfield or play as a creator further forward. A set-piece taker, the 17-year-old has been ever-present in the Youth Cup.

Youth Cup highlight: 'Away at Aston Villa I scored my only goal so far in the tournament, it was important and helped us reach the final.'

Funny moments along the way: 'The trip to Sardinia, where the team spirit was good, we were all together and had fun. Paul Clement tells us not to celebrate too long and to be focused on the pitch, but Gael Kakuta's back flip at port Vale was very good.'

Most admired professional: 'Zinedine Zidane, when I was young he was the best midfielder in the world, and I tried to copy him.'

Profession if not in football: 'Fireman or policeman, I would like to be helping people.'


Jacob Mellis
Having travelled down from Sheffield United in the summer, England Under 17 international Jacob has been the youth squad's Mr Adaptable. He has played right-back, centre-back, midfield from where he has two goals, and he has also been moved up front. A 17-year-old.

Youth Cup highlight: 'Again, at Aston Villa, the celebrations at the end were great, it was a brilliant feeling.'

Funny moments along the way: 'myself, Patrick and Jeffrey doing some Dutch dancing against Shrewsbury.'

Most admired professional: 'Jermaine Jenas, he makes forward runs with and without the ball, and has a good engine. I just think he is great.'

Profession if not in football: 'Fireman Like Sergio, I'd like to be a fireman. You have to be fit and it is an exciting job.'


Gael Kakuta
The leading scorer of the Cup campaign with six goals so far, including our equaliser at Stamford Bridge. An outstanding Youth Cup has quite rightly created a buzz about the 16-year-old from France. He can play as a classic 'Number 10' behind the front man or wide of a front three. His skills and vision have just aided France Under 17s to the European Championship finals.

Youth Cup highlight: 'Away at Aston Villa in the changing rooms!'

Funny moments along the way: 'My second goal at Port Vale where I did a back flip.'

Most admired professional: 'Lionel Messi, he is left-sided and quick, and that is how I like to play the game.'

Profession if not in football: 'I think I would be studying to go to university, but I don't know what I would study.'

Miroslav Stoch
The seventh of the cup ever-presents, Miroslav's pace and footwork on either wing have established him in the reserves and, last month earned a first call into Slovakia's Under 21 squad. The 18-year-old has found the net twice on the way to the final and created many chances for others.

Youth Cup highlight: 'Both legs of the semi-final, I played well at home, and in the second leg it felt good to get to the final.'

Funny moments along the way: 'Adam Phillip celebrating his goal against Stevenage.'

Most admired professional: 'Lionel Messi, like Gael. He plays in my position, is fast, has good technique and scores great goals.'

Profession if not in football: 'I have never thought about it, but I did play ice hockey when I was young, so maybe that.'


Morten Nielsen
The Denmark Under 18 international has been asked to play as the central striker in a front three in all but the opening match. His hard work has been rewarded with three goals. This is 18-year-old Morten's second year at Chelsea.

Youth Cup highlight: 'Reaching the final at Aston Villa, and scoring against Leciester at Stamford Bridge.'

Funny moments along the way: 'Michael Woods putting his ear to the crowd at Shrewsbury was funny.'

Most admired professional: 'Thierry Henry, a fantastic player. He is so fast, has technique, can head the ball and finish well.'

Profession if not in football: 'I would study to do a job in sport.'


Adam Phillip
'Super Sub' on the way to the final has come on in every round and three times found the net - all of them vital goals. One was the strike that finally defeated Villa in the semi-final and the 16-year-old striker has graduated to England Under 17s this season.

Youth Cup highlight: 'Scoring the winner at Villa Park.'

Funny moments along the way: 'Scoring the equaliser at home to Villa, when I ran to Frank Nouble.'

Most admired professional: 'Cristiano Ronaldo, the style of his play, and the way he is both on and off the pitch.'

Profession if not in football: 'Accountant.'


Frank Nouble
Joins Jeffrey Bruma to make it two schoolboys used in the Youth Cup, Frank starting three games and coming on once. Tall and powerful, he can play centrally but has mostly caused problems for opponents when playing out wide. A 16-year-old, called up by England Under 17s.

Youth Cup highlight: 'I played well away at Port Vale.'

Funny moments along the way: 'Three goal celebrations I can think of, against Shrewsbury when Patrick and Jacob danced, away at Villa the celebrations on the bench, and at Stevenage in the first game with myself and Adam Phillip.'

Most admired professional: 'Cristiano Ronaldo again, he always has an end product to his game, scoring and creating goals. He is a great entertainer.'

Profession if not in football: 'I would try to go to university and study law.'


Chelsea TV has live build-up and reaction to the game, with Match Night Live starting from 7pm.