Scouting Aston Villa transfer target: Sheyi Ojo

Young Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo is attracting attention from multiple Championship clubs. Reports indicate Aston Villa is one team interested in acquiring Ojo on loan.

Aston Villa, Derby County, Fulham, and Middlesbrough are all interested in bringing Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo on loan.

Ojo, 20, has 13 Reds’ appearances since making his debut in January 2016.

He began his career with MK Dons in their academy before being discovered by Liverpool scouts. Liverpool signed a then-14-year old Ojo for a fee around £2 million.

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Ojo is a winger through and through. At 5’5″, he uses his explosive pace and agile twitch to blow past defenders. He’s left-footed, but nearly equally competent with his right.

Therefore, he’s a player that can feature on either flank, though, he’s appeared more often on the left.

Previously, Ojo spent two separate loan moves in the English Championship. Liverpool loaned him through to Wigan Athletic in the latter half of 2015. He went on to make 11 appearances in the second division that spring, without scoring.

That summer Ojo signed a new, long-term deal tying himself to Liverpool. He linked-up with Wolves for the year that August where he was a menace to opposing Championship clubs, scoring three goals in 19 appearances before a recall to Liverpool in January. That led to his senior debut against Exeter City in the FA Cup.

Ojo was a key player for the England team that won the 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

Aston Villa’s interest in the just-turned 20-year old is understandable. Ojo previously succeeded in the Championship as a teenager. Fresh off a World Cup victory, who knows what Ojo is capable of.

The wide areas in particular could use another body. Adomah and Elmohamady hold down the right wing while a combination of Andre Green, Jack Grealish, and Birkir Bjarnason play on the left. However, Steve Bruce has thus far preferred Bjarnason as a central midfielder and Grealish as a number ten.

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Verdict:

Liverpool is unlikely to loan Sheyi Ojo to Aston Villa. A different Championship club that can offer more playing time helps Merseyside more.