Albion Under-18s were edged out by a late Aston Villa goal at Bodymoor Heath on Saturday afternoon.
Tommi O'Reilly ensured the hosts took all three points from the U18 Premier League fixture with 19 minutes remaining.
Peter Gilbert's team will be focused on gaining momentum as the young Baggies target a strong end to 2021, not in the league, but also ahead of their FA Youth Cup campaign which starts next month against Rotherham United.
Albion: Hollingshead; Williams, Machisa, Chidi, Shaw; Richards, Heard, Hurlock (Mfuamba 46); Walker, Love, Oliver (Higgins 46).
Substitutes: Hudd, N'goma, Olofinjana.
